Russia launched one of its longest air assaults of the more than four-year war against Ukraine overnight, with explosions reported in the capital Kiev and at least one person killed, Ukrainian authorities and media said on Thursday.
Air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine as the military warned of incoming drones and ballistic missiles, according to Ukrainian media reports. On Thursday morning, Ukraine’s air force said Russia had fired 56 ballistic and cruise missiles as well as 675 drones. Most of the incoming targets were reportedly intercepted.
Several buildings in Kiev were damaged, and rescue workers pulled survivors from the rubble of a partially collapsed residential building.
Civil defence officials said 40 people had been injured and 18 apartments destroyed. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 31 people, including a child, were being treated in hospital.
Emergency services also reported casualties in the surrounding Kiev region.
Russia had already carried out drone strikes throughout Wednesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 800 drones had been launched against the country.
At least six people were killed and dozens injured in the attacks, Zelensky said, describing the strikes as "terror."
