Kyiv, June 23, 2025 — At least seven people were killed and dozens more injured in a large-scale overnight missile and drone assault launched by Russia against Ukraine’s capital and surrounding regions, Ukrainian officials confirmed on Sunday morning.
The deadly barrage, which struck residential areas, hospitals, and sports facilities in the Kyiv region, marked one of the most intense aerial attacks in recent weeks as Moscow continues its full-scale war effort more than three years into the conflict.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed the fatalities in a statement posted on social media, emphasizing that both civilians and critical infrastructure had been hit. He described the attacks as “deliberate terror” against peaceful Ukrainian cities.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said at least six of the victims died in a high-rise residential building in the capital. Another 19 people were injured, with several in serious condition. Local authorities said fires erupted in multiple districts following the strikes, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
“Many of our citizens spent the night in metro stations, sheltering from relentless attacks,” Mayor Klitschko stated. “This is a city that refuses to be broken, but the cost we are paying is devastating.”
Footage released by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service showed stunned and soot-covered residents being evacuated from a severely damaged high-rise building still engulfed in flames. Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blazes, while medics treated the wounded in improvised triage zones.
The Ukrainian air force reported that 352 drones and 16 missiles were launched by Russian forces during the assault, most of which targeted the Kyiv region. While Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted a number of the incoming projectiles, several managed to penetrate, causing widespread destruction.
An entrance to a Kyiv underground metro station was also damaged, and service was temporarily suspended as emergency inspections were carried out. Authorities confirmed that shelters across the capital had been operating at full capacity overnight.
In recent months, Russia has intensified its use of drones and long-range missiles, particularly targeting energy infrastructure, residential zones, and public services. Analysts suggest the campaign is aimed at undermining civilian morale and overwhelming Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes, calling on allies to expedite delivery of additional air defense systems and long-range weapons. “This horror must not become the norm,” he said. “Every delay in support costs Ukrainian lives.”
The attack comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts to isolate Russia further and bolster Ukraine’s defenses ahead of the expected autumn military campaigns. Meanwhile, the civilian toll continues to rise as cities like Kyiv face nightly bombardment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, thousands have been killed and millions displaced, as the war grinds on with no immediate resolution in sight.
As the sun rose over Kyiv on Sunday, rescue workers continued sifting through rubble, searching for survivors. Families wept outside smoldering buildings, mourning loved ones lost in yet another night of terror.