A powerful wave of aerial assault struck Ukraine’s capital as dawn broke on Tuesday, when Russian forces launched a combined missile and drone offensive targeting critical energy infrastructure in Kyiv. Officials confirm at least six people were killed and many more wounded amid widespread outages in power and water services.
Strike Hits Heart of Kyiv’s Energy Network
In the early hours of the day, Russian forces unleashed at least 22 missiles along with hundreds of drones, according to Ukrainian officials. The bulk of the strike focused on energy facilities in the capital, where damage was swift, leaving residents navigating darkness and uncertainty. Several districts reported fires after debris from downed missiles fell onto residential buildings.
The mayor of Kyiv warned that the enemy assault continues, urging people to remain vigilant as air-raid alerts sounded across the city.
Drones Breach Neighbouring Airspace as Europe Watches
The assault didn’t stop at Ukraine’s borders. Ukrainian authorities reported that more than 460 drones were deployed over the night, and some of these entered the airspace of neighboring Moldova and Romania, both of which scrambled jets to respond. The incursion underlined the growing risk the conflict poses to the wider European region.
Ukraine’s air defence forces say they intercepted hundreds of incoming drones and missiles—destroying around 438 drones and 14 missiles—but falling debris still caused damage in multiple locations.
A Response Amid Peace Talks and Pressure Mounts
The timing of the strike has raised alarm as it follows recent peace negotiations in Switzerland and a high-level meeting in Abu Dhabi between U.S. and Russian officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a deliberate escalation at a moment when diplomatic efforts are underway to end the war.
He also appealed to global partners to maintain pressure on the aggressor through both military and economic means, stressing that the actions of Moscow threaten not only Ukraine but the entire trans-Atlantic community.
