Russia hammers Kyiv in largest missile barrage

Waves of drone and missile attacks targeted Kyiv overnight into Friday in the largest aerial assault since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began more than three years ago, officials said, amid a renewed Russian push to capture more of its neighbour’s land.

The barrage injured at least 23 people and inflicted severe damage across multiple districts of the capital in a seven-hour onslaught. Blasts lit up the night sky and echoed across the city as air raid sirens wailed. The blue lights of emergency vehicles reflected off high-rise buildings, and debris blocked city streets.

“It was a harsh, sleepless night,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Russia has been stepping up its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities. Less than a week ago, Russia launched what was then the largest aerial assault of the war. That strategy has coincided with a concerted Russian effort to break through parts of the roughly 1,000-km front line, where Ukrainian troops are under severe pressure.