Russian Missile Barrage Hits Kyiv, Injures Residents and Sparks Fires Across the Capital

A major Russian attack struck Kyiv early Tuesday, injuring at least four people and heavily damaging a high‑rise apartment building as explosions and falling debris ignited fires across multiple districts.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a suspected missile hit a 24‑storey residential tower, causing part of the structure to collapse. Emergency crews were searching the rubble amid fears that people may be trapped. Preliminary reports confirmed four injuries.

Fires also broke out in the Podil district, including at a non‑residential property and on the roof of a nine‑storey apartment building struck by debris. In Obolon, several cars were engulfed in flames after being hit by falling missile fragments, and open‑area fires were reported near a kindergarten.

Thousands of Kyiv residents sheltered in metro stations and basements as air‑raid sirens wailed across the city. The attack came just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was preparing a large‑scale strike.

“Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible they have prepared one,” Zelensky said in his nightly address, adding that Ukraine’s defenders were ready “to the fullest extent possible with the supplies currently available.”

Russia last week threatened “systematic strikes” on Kyiv, including on military‑linked sites and decision‑making centres, urging foreigners to leave the capital. Moscow claims the escalation is retaliation for a drone strike in Russian‑held Luhansk that killed 21 people an attack Ukraine denies carrying out.

In the Kharkiv region, governor Oleh Syniehubov reported at least six people wounded overnight, including an 11‑year‑old girl, following Russian shelling. Reuters said it could not independently verify the battlefield reports.

The latest assault underscores the intensifying tit‑for‑tat strikes between the two countries. Russia continues to target Ukraine’s power grid and infrastructure, while Ukraine has stepped up attacks on oil facilities inside Russia. Both sides deny intentionally targeting civilians.