Russian overnight aerial strike on Kyiv leaves 15 injured, damages across multiple districts UPDATED

Russia launched one of its largest combined attacks on Ukraine overnight, targeting the capital Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 14 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 250 drones were deployed in the assault, leaving at least 15 civilians injured in Kyiv alone.

According to the Ukrainian military, air defence systems successfully intercepted six ballistic missiles and neutralised 245 drones. Of those, 128 UAVs were destroyed, while 117 others were jammed or lost from radar due to electronic warfare measures, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media. 

“It was a tough night for all of us. One of the largest combined attacks on the capital. The enemy is improving its drone tactics and simultaneously launching ballistic missiles,” said the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko.

The main target was Kyiv, although other regions — including Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia — also came under fire during the extensive overnight barrage.

Damage across Kyiv districts

In the Holosiivskyi district, debris from a downed drone fell in multiple locations, injuring one person and damaging five vehicles.

In Dniprovskiy district, missile fragments struck a residential building, damaging an apartment on the third floor. A 40-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman sustained injuries when debris penetrated their home.

The Solomianskyi district saw one of the more serious incidents, where fire broke out on the fourth and fifth floors of a residential building. Seven people aged 35 to 63 were injured. Emergency responders rescued one man using a protective hood; he was later hospitalised with smoke inhalation.

Authorities have issued urgent warnings to Kyiv residents to avoid approaching any drone or missile debris. Citizens are advised to report such findings to emergency services by calling 101.

09:46

At least eight people were injured and multiple fires broke out across Kyiv following a combined Russian aerial assault involving drones and ballistic missiles during the night of May 24, according to Ukrainian emergency services and city officials.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed that emergency response teams were continuing efforts to eliminate the consequences of the large-scale overnight strike. The attack triggered widespread debris falls and fires in several districts of the capital, as Russian forces launched more than 20 kamikaze drones from multiple directions alongside ballistic missiles, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media. 

"During the night of May 24, Kyiv came under another combined attack involving drones and ballistic missiles," emergency responders reported, noting that response operations were ongoing at multiple sites.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) Tymur Tkachenko provided updates throughout the night, detailing the impact across the city. Initially, missile and drone debris was reported falling in the Shevchenkivskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts. Tkachenko later confirmed missile debris also fell in the Obolon district.

At 1:37 am local time (2:37 am GMT+4), Tkachenko stated that drone debris struck a residential building in the Solomianskyi district, hitting the top floor. Klitschko confirmed that emergency services were dispatched to the scene.

Further reports from Tkachenko indicated that fires erupted at two locations in the Sviatoshynskyi district, including a non-residential building, as well as on the first and top floors of a residential building in the Dniprovskyi district. Klitschko added that emergency services were already working at the affected sites.

"The number of injured from the Russian attack has increased to 8 people. Two were hospitalised. Others received medical aid on site," the city mayor reported.

On the evening of May 23, Ukraine’s Air Force had detected Russian strike drones approaching Kyiv, triggering air defence responses. Explosions were heard across the capital and surrounding regions amid the incoming Shahed drone attack.

Earlier in the night, drone debris fell in the Holosiivskyi district, sparking a fire and damaging vehicles. In the Brovary district of the Kyiv region, two people were injured by falling debris.

As Kyiv continues to reel from the aftermath, authorities warn that emergency operations remain active while the full scope of the damage is being assessed.

By Sabina Mammadli