Russia hammers Kyiv in largest missile and drone barrage since war in Ukraine began

KYIV Ukraine AP Waves of drone and missile attacks targeted Kyiv overnight into Friday in the largest aerial attack since Russia s war in Ukraine began injuring people and inflicting damage across multiple districts of the capital Russia launched drones and missiles across Ukraine overnight the country s air force mentioned The majority were Shahed drones while Russia used missiles in the attack Throughout the night Associated Press journalists in Kyiv heard the constant buzzing of drones overhead and the sound of explosions and intense machine gun fire as Ukrainian forces tried to intercept the aerial assault Kyiv was the primary target of the attack At least people were injured with hospitalized according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko Ukrainian air defenses shot down targets including two cruise missiles Another targets were lost from radar and presumed jammed Russia successfully hit eight locations with nine missiles and drones Debris from intercepted drones fell across at least sites The attack came hours after President Donald Trump held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and made his first general comments on his administration s decision to pause a few shipments of weapons to Ukraine That decision affects munitions including Patriot missiles the AIM- Sparrow air-to-air missile and shorter-range Stinger missiles They are needed to counter incoming missiles and drones and to bring down Russian aircraft It s been less than a week since Russia s previous largest aerial assault of the war Ukraine s air force broadcasted that Russia fired drones decoys and missiles in that attack Crisis services disclosed damage in at least five of the capital s districts In Solomianskyi district a five-story residential building was partially destroyed and the roof of a seven-story building caught fire Fires also broke out at a warehouse a garage complex and an auto repair facility In Sviatoshynskyi district a strike hit a -story residential building sparking a fire Several vehicles also caught fire nearby Blazes were also broadcasted at non-residential facilities In Shevchenkivskyi district an eight-story building came under attack with the first floor sustaining damage Falling debris was recorded in Darnytskyi and Holosiivskyi districts Ukraine s national railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia mentioned drone strikes damaged rail infrastructure in Kyiv Source