Russia launched one of the most sustained and devastating air assaults on Kyiv in months, striking residential areas and industrial zones in an eight-hour barrage that killed at least 15 people and wounded more than 100 others.
According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, the overnight attack began late Monday and stretched into the early hours of Tuesday.
“The nature of the damage suggests direct targeting of residential buildings,” said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration. More than 40 apartments were destroyed in the Solomianskyi district alone, and a residential high-rise partially collapsed following a direct hit.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that the attack involved over 440 drones and 32 missiles. Among the weapons used were Iranian-made Shahed-136 one-way attack drones, Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers, Kalibr missiles fired from Russian warships in the Black Sea, and Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles.
Also involved in the attack were Kh-59 and Kh-69 air-to-surface missiles, as well as the radar-targeting Kh-31P. A total of 175 Shahed drones were directed at the capital and surrounding areas during the bloody air strike.
Last night was one of the most terrifying nights in Kyiv. Russia launched 440 drones and 32 missiles in a single overnight assault. 14 people are dead, at least 40 are injured. It’s clear that Russia will not end this war unless it is coerced to do so. pic.twitter.com/CakGEeT3m2
— Vasyl Myroshnychenko (@AmbVasyl) June 17, 2025
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strikes “one of the most horrific attacks on Kyiv,” and emphasized that the assault deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure. Video footage shared by residents captured the moment a drone impacted an apartment building.
I receive regular reports from Minister of Internal Affairs Klymenko and our military commanders on the aftermath of Russia’s massive strike. More than 440 drones and 32 missiles were used. Kyiv has faced one of the most horrific attacks. Also, overnight, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia,… pic.twitter.com/4ZMFBj8eJ2
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 17, 2025
Emergency services are continuing search and rescue efforts at several locations across the capital. Officials warn that the number of casualties could rise.
Russian drones randomly targeting high-rise buildings full of sleeping families.
Just mass murder by a regime now aligned with the US.
pic.twitter.com/878fyiJlEU— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) June 17, 2025
The timing of the strike also coincided with the G7 summit in Canada, where President Donald J. Trump confirmed that the U.S. is postponing the imposition of new sanctions on Russia, stating he is awaiting progress on potential ceasefire talks and views Russian President Vladimir Putin as a possible mediator in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
Kyiv officials have called for an urgent international response, stating that continued air assaults on civilian centers underline Russia’s disregard for basic humanitarian norms. The images of collapsed residential buildings and injured civilians have again drawn global condemnation, though no new coordinated action from Western allies has been announced so far.