Coordinated pre-dawn strikes damage infrastructure and intensify pressure on Ukraine’s air defenses
Russian missile and drone strikes hit Ukraine’s capital Kyiv early Thursday, killing at least three people, including a 12-year-old child, and injuring more than 20 others, Ukrainian officials said.
The pre-dawn barrage targeted multiple urban centers in what authorities described as a coordinated assault aimed at overwhelming Ukraine’s air defense systems. Explosions echoed across Kyiv as air defense units attempted to intercept incoming projectiles, while residents rushed to metro stations and underground shelters for safety.
Emergency services reported extensive damage to residential buildings and public infrastructure. In one district of the capital, a high-rise apartment block sustained a direct hit, resulting in severe structural collapse. Rescue teams worked through debris and smoke to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
Hospital officials confirmed that dozens of injured civilians are receiving treatment for shrapnel wounds and respiratory complications caused by fires sparked during the strikes.
Beyond Kyiv, attacks were reported in central and eastern regions, where energy facilities and residential neighborhoods were also hit. Local authorities said the strikes caused power outages and disrupted water supply in several areas.
Officials condemned the attacks as deliberate strikes on civilians, while renewing calls for increased international support, particularly advanced air defense systems.
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