Russian forces unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles on Kyiv early Thursday, killing at least two people, injuring 13, and igniting fires across apartment blocks and commercial buildings—just as Washington confirmed renewed weapons shipments to Ukraine’s embattled military.
The attack, part of Moscow’s escalating air campaign, overwhelmed Ukrainian air defenses and forced thousands of residents into bomb shelters overnight. Kyiv officials reported strikes in six of the city’s 10 districts, with the upscale Shevchenkivskyi area—known for its cafes and cultural hubs—suffering severe damage to residential buildings. Thick smoke blanketed parts of the capital, obscuring the sunrise as air raid alerts persisted for over four hours.
U.S. Arms Deliveries Resume Amid Intensified Fighting
The assault came a day after Russia set a single-night record for drone attacks and as the U.S. began shipping artillery shells and mobile rocket systems to Ukraine, according to two American officials. President Donald Trump, who recently vowed to bolster Kyiv’s defenses, has grown increasingly critical of Vladimir Putin, accusing the Russian leader of undermining U.S. efforts to end the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks in Rome with Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg ahead of an international recovery conference, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepared to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur—a rare high-level contact amid deteriorating relations.
Frontline Carnage and Civilian Toll
Near the eastern frontlines, a Russian airstrike late Wednesday killed three people in Kostiantynivka, underscoring the war’s relentless toll. In Kyiv, emergency crews battled blazes as residents returned to shattered homes and smoldering vehicles. Officials warned of lingering smoke hazards, urging citizens to keep windows closed.
The strike follows a pattern of Russian attacks aimed at exhausting Ukraine’s air defenses and demoralizing civilians. With no immediate comment from Moscow, the assault signals Putin’s defiance of Western pressure—even as Ukraine’s allies scramble to replenish its dwindling arms supplies. As the war grinds into its third year, Thursday’s violence offers a grim reminder of the conflict’s escalating brutality.