Russian ballistic missiles strike Kyiv, with drone attacks reported in Kharkiv
Explosions were reported in Kyiv shortly after midnight local time after Ukraine's air force warned of several incoming ballistic missiles. An AFP journalist described bright flashes over the capital followed by a series of detonations. At the same time, Kharkiv, the main city in northeast Ukraine, was reported to have been hit by combat drones.
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Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a warehouse was hit and that missile debris fell on non-residential buildings. The reports did not immediately give details of casualties or the full extent of the damage. The strikes came a few hours after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv to discuss defence ties.
The attack adds to a pattern of repeated Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv since last month. Ballistic missiles are faster and harder to intercept than many other weapons, and they are typically fired in successive salvoes, with blasts occurring in quick succession. The city is also facing a shortage of PAC-3 missiles for its US-designed Patriot air-defence systems, which are used to intercept ballistic projectiles.
The timing is significant because it comes as Ukraine is seeking to strengthen its air defences while continuing to face pressure from Russian attacks. Volodymyr Zelensky has said production of missiles for Patriot systems could begin by the end of this year, after Donald Trump said he intended to authorise Ukraine to produce them. The strikes also followed political changes in Kyiv, where lawmakers were preparing to vote on a new prime minister after Yulia Svyrydenko resigned.
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The broader context is a war in which Ukraine's capital has remained a frequent target, while Kharkiv has also faced repeated attacks because of its proximity to the front line and its importance as a major regional centre. The latest reports underline the continuing strain on Ukraine's air-defence network and the challenge of protecting major cities from fast-moving missile and drone attacks. They also come as Kyiv seeks closer defence cooperation with European partners.
It was not immediately clear how many missiles were launched, whether all were intercepted, or whether there were any injuries. Further official updates are expected from Ukrainian authorities as they assess the damage in Kyiv and Kharkiv. The scale of the attack and any military response from Russia remain to be confirmed.
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