Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv early on Saturday, killing at least nine people and injuring about 23, officials said. The strikes caused fires, power outages and significant damage to residential buildings, with people reported trapped in several districts. President Zelensky has renewed appeals for Patriot interceptors after discussions in Washington; President Trump said the US has not yet authorised Ukrainian production of the systems and urged caution.
Russian Ballistic Missile Strikes On Kyiv Kill At Least Nine, Injure Dozens
Firefighters work at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike in Kyiv early on Saturday [Reuters]
At least nine people were killed and dozens more wounded early on Saturday after Russian ballistic missiles struck multiple areas of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, local officials said.
What Happened
Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported at least 23 people were injured in the strikes, which triggered fires, power outages and damage to residential buildings. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the city experienced more than 10 explosions and that emergency teams were working to free people trapped in damaged blocks.
[Reuters]
Casualties And Damage
Emergency services said a strike in the Darnytskyi district killed at least seven people and wounded 14, including two children. In Solomyanskyi district, officials reported two deaths and eight injuries — again including two children — after a five-storey residential building was partially destroyed. In Shevchenkivskyi, a residential block was also heavily damaged with people reported trapped inside.
Broader Context
The attack came days after a suspected Russian cruise missile landed in Poland during a wider barrage on Ukraine, killing at least eight people, including six members of a single family near Kryvyi Rih. Ukrainian officials have said Moscow has intensified ballistic strikes on Kyiv in recent weeks.
[BBC]
Calls For Air-Defence Support
President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged partners for additional interceptors, notably Patriot systems, which Kyiv says are critical to defend against ballistic missiles. Zelensky pressed the issue during meetings in Washington this week and said he later held a constructive call with US Vice-President JD Vance.
At a cabinet meeting at the Camp David retreat, US President Donald Trump said the United States had not yet authorised Ukraine to build Patriot interceptors domestically and urged caution about sharing advanced defence technology, calling it "a big step." He added that talks were ongoing.
Ukraine's Retaliation
Ukrainian forces have also stepped up strikes in recent months, including attacks on logistics sites and warehouses linked by Kyiv to Russia's military supply chains. Officials say these operations target hubs used to procure and move equipment to Russian forces.
Note: Casualty figures and specific details come from Ukrainian local officials and emergency services and were being updated as rescue and recovery operations continued.
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