Eight killed and dozens injured as massive Russian strikes hit Kyiv overnight, while a major blast at Novorossiysk port disrupts oil exports and heightens tensions.
Deadly Overnight Assault Leaves Kyiv Reeling
Casualties and Citywide Damage
An intense wave of Russian drones and missiles struck Kyiv early Friday, killing six residents and injuring dozens more across Ukraine’s capital. Local officials reported widespread destruction to apartments, public buildings and key infrastructure as debris from intercepted weapons ignited multiple fires.
Scale and Timing of the Attack
The assault, launched shortly after midnight, was described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as one of the largest on Kyiv since the war began. According to Ukraine’s air force, Russian forces deployed 430 drones and 18 missiles, most of which were shot down before reaching their targets.
Impact on Civilians and Infrastructure
Despite successful air defences, falling debris caused significant damage across nine districts of the capital. Highrises, a school, a medical facility and administrative buildings were among those impacted. Kyiv’s military administration confirmed at least 34 injured, including two children and a pregnant woman. Partial power outages were reported in Kyiv region, Odesa and Donetsk as crews worked to stabilize the grid.
Residents Describe Scenes of Chaos
Eyewitness Accounts From Affected Areas
Flames were visible across several neighbourhoods as residents rushed into the streets, some barefoot, others pulling children from smoke-filled corridors. Anastasia, a 29-year-old Kyiv resident, described the panic as her building was struck:
“You don’t know what to do first—save yourself, your child, or help the people screaming around you,” she said.
Regional Fallout Beyond the Capital
Outside Kyiv, regional officials reported six additional injuries, including a seven-year-old child. In Bila Tserkva, a 55-year-old man was hospitalized with burns following a drone-related fire.
Diplomatic Shockwaves
Among the damaged sites was the Azerbaijani Embassy, struck by debris from an Iskander missile. Azerbaijan condemned the incident and summoned Russia’s ambassador after the blast destroyed part of the compound’s perimeter wall.
Major Disruption at Russia’s Novorossiysk Port
Port Operations Temporarily Halted
Hours after the attacks on Kyiv, a Ukrainian drone strike hit Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, causing heavy damage to oil infrastructure. Oil exports—equivalent to 2.2 million barrels per day—were briefly suspended, affecting nearly 2% of global supply, according to industry sources.
Infrastructure and Vessel Damage
Local officials reported that an oil depot, apartment buildings and a docked ship were damaged. Three crew members from the vessel were hospitalized. Fires at the Sheskharis oil terminal were extinguished after large emergency teams worked through the night.
Global Energy and Military Implications
The port strike is one of the largest on Russia’s oil-exporting infrastructure in recent months. Ukraine has intensified pressure on Russian energy assets since August to constrain Moscow’s war funding capabilities. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium paused operations briefly but resumed throughput once the air threat subsided.
Ukraine Responds With Long-Range Strikes
Kyiv’s Counteroffensive Measures
President Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces deployed Long Neptune cruise missiles in retaliatory strikes inside Russia overnight. While he did not specify the targets, he said the domestically developed weapons—capable of reaching 1,000 km—were seeing increasing operational success.
Russian Defence Claims
Russia’s Defence Ministry stated that its air defences intercepted 216 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions and Crimea. The claims could not be independently verified.
