The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was struck by a significant missile and drone offensive from Russia early Monday, leading to the deaths of at least nine individuals and injuring 46 more, among them five children, as reported by Ukrainian officials. The attack, which occurred overnight, resulted in substantial damage to residential areas throughout the city. Rescue operations remain ongoing, with officials cautioning that the number of casualties may yet increase.

Emergency services reported that at least 15 residential buildings were either damaged or destroyed during the assault. Among the affected structures was a nine-story apartment block in Kyiv’s Podilskyi district, where rescue teams are diligently working to extricate those trapped under the debris. Additionally, another fatality was recorded in the Bucha district, located to the northwest of Kyiv.

The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged conducting the extensive strike, utilizing long-range missiles and drones. They stated that the targets included military, energy, and airfield infrastructure within Kyiv and several other regions across Ukraine. This attack follows closely on the heels of another significant Russian offensive just days prior, which resulted in at least 27 fatalities in Kyiv, making it one of the most lethal strikes on the city within the year.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country, specifically around the strategically important town of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region. He dismissed Russian assertions that the town had been captured, indicating that fighting in the area continues.