Russian strikes kill at least nine across Ukraine as Kyiv hit by missiles and drones
Kyiv was hit overnight by a large Russian missile and drone assault that Ukrainian officials said killed at least two people and injured 34 others, including five children. The attack struck the capital and surrounding region in several waves between 21 and 22 October, with damage reported in multiple districts. Officials also said the bombardment affected other parts of Ukraine, including Odesa.
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A Ukrainian presidential adviser said one of the weapons used against Kyiv was an Iskander ballistic missile fitted with a cluster warhead, which he said was designed to cause maximum casualties over a wide area. He said the warhead detonated above the ground and dispersed dozens of submunitions, describing the strike as aimed at civilians rather than military targets. Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 210 drones, including 110 jet-powered variants, as well as Iskander-M, S-400, Zircon and Onyx missiles.
Kyiv authorities said the capital suffered damage in the Holosiivskyi, Obolonskyi, Pecherskyi, Sviatoshynskyi and Dniprovskyi districts. The strikes hit residential neighbourhoods, transport facilities and medical infrastructure, while debris also caused damage in other parts of the city. Ukrainian air defences intercepted 181 drones, including 87 jet-powered variants, but strikes were still recorded at 32 locations and falling debris at another eight.
The attack adds to the pressure on Ukraine's air defences and emergency services as Russia continues to combine missiles and drones in large overnight raids. The use of a cluster-warhead missile in a densely populated part of Kyiv has also renewed concern about the risks to civilians in urban areas. Such weapons are especially dangerous because they can spread submunitions over a broad area, making rescue and clearance work more difficult.
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The strike came just hours after a US special envoy met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg as Washington pursued renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. That timing underlines the gap between battlefield escalation and ongoing attempts at negotiation. It also follows a pattern of repeated attacks on Kyiv, which has remained a frequent target throughout the war.
What remains unclear is the full scale of damage outside the capital and the final number of casualties across all affected regions. Officials have not yet given a complete nationwide assessment, and the toll could change as rescue work continues. The next developments to watch are the condition of those injured, the extent of damage in Kyiv's historic centre, and whether further strikes follow in the coming hours.
