Three Killed in Kyiv Following Russian Missile and Drone Strike

Kyiv (Eurotoday) – Russian forces launched a missile and a combined drone strike on Kyiv, killing three individuals, Ukrainian officials said.

According to Ukraine’s Military Administration Chief Timur Tkachenko, eruptions roared across the sky as air defences repulsed the strike, which also injured three others. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported a damaged metro station and water pipes.

“Russian forces initially launched drones and then a ballistic-missile strike,”

Parliamentary ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated.

“These acts merely underscore the enemy’s ruthlessness and barbarity.”

Russian defence forces also hit the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia. The city’s regional governor stated that it wounded ten people and harmed the offices of an industrial building. The overnight Russian strikes across Ukraine engaged 39 drones and four ballistic missiles; Ukraine’s Air Force said it intercepted 24 drones and two missiles.

How does this strike compare to earlier attacks on Kyiv in December?

Earlier, on 20 December 2024, there was a similar mass air attack on Kyiv when rush hour had just started, and it resulted in many dead and destroyed infrastructure. At least one person died, and several were wounded. 

According to reports, 11 people were injured, and five of them were hospitalized. Several buildings suffered from missile attacks, including six embassies (diplomatic missions), the historic Cathedral of St. Andrew, residential buildings, and others. Debris from the intercepted missiles caused fires and damage to vehicles and infrastructure across the various districts in Kyiv. 

Around 630 apartment buildings, 16 medical facilities, 17 schools, and 13 kindergartens were left without heat as a result of the attack. The heating infrastructure in the Holosiivskyi district was particularly damaged.