Russia launched a major overnight missile and drone assault on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine on Thursday, injuring at least 18 people and damaging residential and civilian infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
The attack began overnight on 17 September, with explosions reported across the Ukrainian capital. Kyiv authorities said residential and office buildings, warehouses and other facilities were damaged in several districts.
Two children were among those injured in Kyiv. The city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said the number of casualties had risen during the morning as emergency crews continued to assess the damage.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia’s overnight assault involved ballistic and cruise missiles as well as 157 attack and decoy drones. Ukrainian air defences destroyed or suppressed 131 aerial targets, while missile and drone strikes were recorded at 36 locations.
The attack was not limited to Kyiv. The Kyiv, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia regions were among the main areas targeted, according to Ukrainian authorities. In Odesa, several people were also injured and residential buildings and other civilian facilities were damaged.
In Kyiv, emergency services responded to damage in several districts. Reports indicated that buildings, vehicles and warehouses were affected, while authorities worked to clear debris and assess the extent of the destruction.
The overnight assault came amid continued Russian and Ukrainian attacks despite recent diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing hostilities. Reuters reported earlier this week that Russia had also carried out a large drone attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had struck industrial, energy and transport facilities in parts of Ukraine. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, continued to document damage to civilian infrastructure following the latest attack.
The casualty figures and extent of the damage were still being updated on Thursday as emergency workers continued operations across the affected areas.
