KYIV — A drone strike hit a residential building in a populated district overnight, injuring two people and sparking a fire that damaged several apartments, local authorities said on Friday.
Emergency services said firefighters were dispatched shortly after the attack was reported and worked for several hours to contain the blaze. Officials said the injured residents received medical treatment, though details about their conditions were not immediately released.
The strike occurred amid continuing aerial attacks linked to the broader regional conflict, which has escalated in recent months with repeated drone and missile exchanges targeting infrastructure and urban areas.
“The fire has been localized, and rescue teams completed an inspection of the building,” the city’s emergency administration said in a statement. Authorities added that several families were temporarily evacuated while structural assessments were carried out.
Images released by emergency responders showed scorched sections of the apartment block, broken windows and debris scattered around the courtyard. Local officials said nearby buildings also sustained minor damage from falling fragments.
Police cordoned off the area as investigators examined the site. Officials said preliminary information suggested the damage was caused by a drone impact, though a full assessment was still underway. Details about the type of drone involved and its origin remained unclear.
Residents described hearing explosions during the night followed by sirens and the arrival of emergency crews. “There was a loud blast, and then smoke started coming from the upper floors,” one resident told local media. Reuters could not independently verify the account.
Military officials said air defense systems were activated during the attack. They did not immediately provide information on how many drones were launched or intercepted.
There was no immediate comment from the side accused of carrying out the strike. Both sides in the conflict have repeatedly denied targeting civilians, while accusing each other of attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure.
The latest incident follows a series of drone attacks reported across several regions this week. Authorities have urged residents to remain in shelters during air raid alerts and said emergency crews remain on heightened readiness.
By Friday morning, firefighters had extinguished the remaining hotspots and municipal workers were clearing debris from the site, officials said. An investigation into the incident was continuing.
