In brief
Kyiv is under assault as Russian drones target residential areas, prompting air defense responses and urgent safety warnings for residents.
---In the early hours of Thursday, Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, faced a significant onslaught from Russian drones, resulting in at least 10 injuries and widespread fires. Local officials reported that drone debris struck the roof of a residential structure in the Shevchenkivskyi district, igniting flames and prompting emergency services to respond.Video footage circulating on social media—though not yet verified by BBC—depicts explosions lighting up the night sky amidst the city's skyward defense efforts. Following this recent escalation, Ukraine's military has raised alarms about potential ballistic missile threats alongside the ongoing drone assault.On the night prior, Ukraine experienced what it described as the largest aerial attack in history from Russia, with 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles directed at cities nationwide in successive waves. As dawn broke, reports from Kyiv's military administration confirmed that Russian drone incursions were in effect across six districts including residential areas, commercial spaces, and vehicles, prompting administration head Tymur Tkachenko to advise civilians to take shelter until all-clear signals were given.Beyond Kyiv, additional strikes were reported elsewhere, such as in Kostiantynivka, where three were confirmed dead due to a Russian air raid. Meanwhile, there are indications that the U.S. has resumed sending military supplies to Ukraine after a brief suspension days prior. The conflict, which saw Russia invade Ukraine in February 2022, continues to provoke international attention and concern with escalating military actions on both sides.
