Kyiv, Ukraine – April 6, 2025 — A Russian ballistic missile strike targeted the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Saturday, leaving three people injured and causing widespread destruction and fires across several districts, according to Kyiv city authorities.
The initial explosions were heard around 2:12 a.m., with a second wave striking near 5:00 a.m. local time, triggering emergency responses throughout Kyiv.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the injuries and the scale of the damage, while rescue teams worked swiftly to contain fires and provide medical assistance.
In the Darnytskyi district, on the southeastern outskirts of the capital, two individuals were hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the attack.
A third person was also reported injured. A fire erupted at a non-residential facility in the area, where another structure was heavily damaged and three vehicles were engulfed in flames. Emergency crews managed to extinguish the fire shortly after arrival, officials confirmed.
Further damage was reported in the Obolonskyi and Solomianskyi districts. In Obolonskyi, a large fire destroyed a furniture workshop and a nearby warehouse, while a business center suffered severe damage to its second through fourth floors.
The Solomianskyi district also faced multiple fire outbreaks, including the exterior of a warehouse that was ignited in the blast.
The Ukrainian State Emergency Service announced that response teams were deployed to all affected districts.
Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said emergency workers and ambulances reached each site quickly to control fires and secure damaged areas.
As the attack unfolded, Poland took immediate precautionary measures. The Polish Armed Forces placed their air defense systems and radar reconnaissance on heightened alert, scrambling fighter jets in response to increased Russian strategic aircraft activity.
According to a statement from the Operational Command, both Polish and allied aircraft were actively patrolling the country’s airspace as a defensive measure. “All necessary forces and resources are prepared to respond,” the command noted.
Saturday’s missile barrage follows a deadly attack two days earlier in Kryvyi Rih, where at least 18 civilians, including nine children, were killed after Russian missiles struck a residential area.
The April 4 strike sparked criticism over the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine’s response, which failed to directly name Russia as the aggressor. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed disappointment with the omission, calling for clearer international condemnation.
Since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure, drawing international outcry.
While Ukraine has indicated its willingness to engage in a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire—announced in March—Moscow has yet to respond or commit to halting its attacks.
Saturday’s assault serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing volatility and danger faced by Ukrainian civilians. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and to follow safety protocols during future air alerts.