Russian Missile and Drone Strikes Kill 13 in Kyiv Overnight Attack

At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured in a massive overnight Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, between Wednesday night and early Thursday. The attack, described by local authorities as one of the deadliest in recent months, targeted residential buildings and a central hotel, causing floors to collapse and fires to break out across multiple locations.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported extensive destruction, including the collapse of the first through sixth floors of an apartment building due to a direct hit. Rescue teams extracted survivors from the rubble, highlighting the severity of the strikes. Emergency services confirmed 86 injured, with 70 hospitalized, and warned the death toll might rise.

The Premier Palace Hotel, a five-star establishment, caught fire during the bombardment, alongside widespread damage to civilian infrastructure. The attacks continued for hours into the night, with air defense systems intercepting some projectiles.

This assault followed days of speculation about a large-scale Russian offensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned citizens the previous evening to prepare for such an attack and urged them to use shelters. In response to the strike, Kyiv will observe a day of mourning for the victims. Zelensky cut short a visit to Ireland following the attack.

The incident underscores the ongoing intensity of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the vulnerability of civilian areas in Kyiv to missile and drone warfare.