Russia Launches 56 Missiles and Nearly 700 Drones on Kyiv, Killing Eight

TL;DR: Russia launched a massive barrage of 56 missiles and nearly 700 drones on Kyiv overnight, killing at least eight people—including a 13‑year‑old—and injuring 44. President Zelenskyy called for an immediate just response and ordered Ukraine’s military to prepare retaliation options.

Russian forces have intensified their campaign against Ukraine for a second straight day, with the capital bearing the brunt of the latest barrage. The assault began just after 3 a.m. local time, shaking windows and cutting power and water in eastern districts. Rescue crews are still searching collapsed buildings while officials tally the dead and wounded. Local authorities report that the strikes hit residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure alike. European officials condemned the strikes, urging Moscow to cease hostilities and urgently calling for increased humanitarian aid to Kyiv.

Ukraine’s air force said the strike package consisted of 56 missiles of various types and almost 700 drones. At least eight civilians died, among them a 13‑year‑old, and 44 people suffered injuries, two of whom are children. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on social media demanding a just response and said he has directed the armed forces to prepare retaliation options. The barrage also damaged a UN vehicle in Kherson, further underscoring the geographic spread of the attack.

The volume of munitions overwhelmed Kyiv’s air‑defence layers, forcing interceptors to engage dozens of targets simultaneously. Infrastructure damage includes a destroyed apartment block in the Darnytskyi district, where rescue teams have pulled eleven survivors from the rubble. The attack also disrupted electricity and water supplies for thousands of residents, adding to humanitarian strain. Analysts say the pattern suggests Moscow aims to test Ukraine’s defensive limits while signaling its willingness to sustain significant high‑intensity operations.

Observers will closely watch whether Ukraine follows through on Zelenskyy’s call for retaliation and how NATO allies respond to the escalation.