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Russia strikes Kyiv with hundreds of missiles and drones, killing at least 18
Russia launched one of the largest attacks in recent years on Kyiv overnight, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. At least 18 people were killed, more than 90 were injured, and the capital suffered extensive damage.
Russia launched a major attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv overnight with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. According to Reuters, at least 18 people were killed and more than 90 were injured in the strikes that hit residential buildings.
Ukraine's Air Force announced that Russia fired 74 missiles and 496 drones throughout the night. Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said the number of ballistic missiles was unusually high and that the interception rate remained low due to a shortage of Patriot missiles.
The attack caused the most widespread destruction in Kyiv in 2026 and was the deadliest strike on the capital since at least May, when an attack that collapsed an apartment building killed 24 people.
Zelenskyy: 'Air defense supply is an absolute priority'
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who cut short his visit to Ireland and returned to Ukraine, said that damage was recorded at more than 20 locations in the capital. 'The main strike targeted Kyiv. The supply of air defense systems to Ukraine is an absolute and critical priority,' he said.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko declared Friday a day of mourning and reported that damage was recorded in many parts of the city of around 3 million people.
UN Representative: 'Russia must be treated as a pariah state'
Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Andrii Melnyk, told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that the attack was 'the most horrific night for Kyiv since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.' Melnyk said his mother-in-law 'felt like the biblical apocalypse was unfolding.'
Melnyk called on the international community to question Russia's status on the UN Security Council, saying: 'This barbaric Russia is still treated as a normal member state at the UN. It is time to end this parallel reality. Russia must be treated as a pariah state.'
EU signals new sanctions
European Union Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova said Russia 'unleashed hell on Kyiv' and that the building housing diplomatic staff was also hit, but the diplomats were unharmed while their belongings were damaged.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she would propose new sanctions against entities supporting Russia's military-industrial complex in response to the attacks. 'The more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions should be imposed,' Kallas said.
Russia: 'It was in retaliation'
Russia's Defense Ministry announced on Telegram that the 'large-scale strike' targeted military and energy facilities and airports in Kyiv and other regions using long-range high-precision weapons and drones. Moscow claimed the attack was in retaliation for Ukraine's drone strikes on Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported striking an oil refinery in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region, with the regional governor announcing that one person was killed.
Neighboring countries on alert
Poland, a NATO and EU member, scrambled fighter jets as a precaution. Finland also declared a temporary flight restriction zone over the eastern Gulf of Finland.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu told Fox News Digital that Russian drones were detected in Ukraine on Wednesday about 30 kilometers from the Romanian border, prompting NATO air policing aircraft to scramble. Țoiu said two British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and a Romanian Air Force IAR 330 Puma helicopter monitored the area.
Since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has killed thousands of civilians in attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Moscow denies deliberately targeting civilians.
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