KYIV—A large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital region killed at least 17 people and injured at least 44 others, Ukrainian authorities said on Thursday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed appeals to Western allies for additional air defense systems and interceptor missiles.
The overnight barrage struck Kyiv and surrounding districts, damaging warehouses, transport infrastructure and other sites across the region, according to Ukrainian officials. Rescue workers continued searching damaged buildings for survivors while emergency crews battled multiple fires sparked by the strikes.
Zelenskyy said the attack included ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and attack drones, adding that none of the ballistic missiles had been intercepted because Ukraine faced a critical shortage of interceptor missiles for its U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems. He said civilian businesses, including warehouses, a brewery and logistics facilities, had been hit.
"Ballistic interceptors are something that could have saved the lives of those who died today," Zelenskyy said, urging partner countries to accelerate deliveries of air defense ammunition and systems.
Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched dozens of missiles and more than 100 drones during the assault. It reported intercepting many of the drones but said ballistic missiles reached their targets, highlighting growing pressure on the country's air defenses.
Regional authorities said the dead and injured were recorded in both Kyiv and the surrounding Kyiv region. Emergency services said search-and-rescue operations continued throughout the day at multiple impact sites, and officials warned the casualty toll could change as crews cleared debris.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces had carried out strikes against military-related logistics and transport infrastructure supporting Ukraine's armed forces. Ukrainian officials rejected that characterization, saying the attacks primarily damaged civilian enterprises and infrastructure. Those competing claims could not be independently verified.
The attack came as Ukraine continued to press allies for expanded military assistance, particularly additional Patriot systems and interceptor missiles, arguing that shortages have reduced its ability to defend against increasingly frequent ballistic missile attacks. Western leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, condemned the strikes and reiterated support for Ukraine.
The latest bombardment underscored the continued intensity of Russia's long-range air campaign more than four years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities declared a day of mourning in the affected areas as rescue operations remained underway and officials continued assessing the full extent of the damage.
