Adedokun Waliyu 
Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday, carrying out a prolonged drone and missile attack that tore through residential buildings and killed at least 17 people, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The barrage, described by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko as the most massive attack on the Ukrainian capital since the start of the war, lasted for several hours and caused extensive destruction across the city. Rescue workers continued searching through the rubble for survivors as smoke rose from damaged buildings.
In Moscow, the Kremlin vowed to intensify pressure on Ukraine, maintaining its uncompromising stance on the conflict. Meanwhile, the European Union’s top diplomat announced plans to propose new sanctions against Russia, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the United States for licences that would enable Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defence missiles domestically to strengthen the country’s defensive capabilities.
Russia has continued to launch waves of missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities throughout its more than four-year invasion, which has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since the Second World War.
Journalists in Kyiv reported hearing more than a dozen explosions across the city as residents, many accompanied by their children and pets, rushed into metro stations and underground shelters for safety. By morning, entire sections of apartment buildings had been reduced to rubble, with thick smoke hanging over the skyline. In one devastated neighbourhood, a grieving mother embraced her son beside the remains of their destroyed home.
The bombardment began late on Wednesday and continued into Thursday morning as missiles and drones struck residential areas across the capital. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service confirmed that at least 17 people had lost their lives in the attacks.
President Zelensky renewed his appeal for additional air defence systems, describing them as an urgent priority for the country’s security. He also expressed hope that the United States would approve licences allowing Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors locally. Although defence experts believe such production would significantly strengthen Ukraine’s long-term capabilities, they note that establishing domestic manufacturing would take considerable time.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 496 drones and 74 missiles during the assault, including ballistic missiles that are particularly difficult to intercept. Ukrainian forces said they successfully shot down 48 missiles and 476 drones.
The attacks left thousands of residents displaced. Among them was 32-year-old factory worker Sabina Mambetova, whose apartment building in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district was largely destroyed. Standing beside the wreckage of her home, she said half of the building had been destroyed, including the roof, leaving her and her child without a place to live.
The Kyiv Metro reported that approximately 52,000 people, including about 4,500 children, sought refuge in underground stations during the attack, the highest number recorded in recent years. Others spent the night sheltering in basements and building corridors as repeated explosions shook the city.
Among those seeking safety underground was 32-year-old doctor Kateryna Kucheryava, who described the difficulty of protecting her young child during the bombardment. She explained that her daughter, accustomed to sleeping in complete silence and darkness, woke after being carried to the metro station and was unable to fall asleep again as the attacks continued. Across the station platforms, residents pitched small tents, lay on air mattresses and camping chairs, while mothers held their babies close in an effort to comfort them through the night.
In response to the attack, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that she would propose additional sanctions against Russia.
Despite growing international pressure, the Kremlin indicated there would be no change in its military objectives. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia would continue increasing pressure on what it described as the Kyiv regime in pursuit of its stated goals.
The assault came only hours after President Zelensky cut short an official visit to Dublin following intelligence reports warning of an imminent large-scale Russian attack. He urged Ukrainians to remain vigilant, make use of bomb shelters and obey air raid warnings, stressing that protecting themselves and their families was of utmost importance.
Zelensky also said Russian President Vladimir Putin had been preparing the large-scale assault for some time.
In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified its own long-range drone operations inside Russian territory, targeting energy infrastructure and military installations. Russian authorities have reported repeated Ukrainian attacks in border regions and say their air defence systems have intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones in recent days.
Efforts by the United States to broker a peaceful resolution to the conflict have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.
