3 killed, 32 injured in Kyiv amid Russian drone attack on residential buildings
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv overnight Oct. 26, killing at least three people and injuring at least 32, including seven children, in strikes on residential buildings, local authorities said.
Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv starting around 2:35 a.m. local time, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground. Of the 101 Shahed, Gerbera, and other types of drones Russa launched at Ukraine overnight, 90 were downed by the Ukrainian air defense, the Air Force reported.
Two children who were injured in the attacks had been hospitalized, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration.
The overnight drone attack comes just one night after another Russian missile strike killed two people and injured 12. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 26 that Russia had launched more than 50 missiles, nearly 1,200 strike drones, and more than 1,360 guided bombs against Ukraine this week.
"This week, these are attacks on residential buildings, on our people, on children, on civilian infrastructure," Zelensky said in a video address posted on Facebook.
"These are the most important targets for the Russians."
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitscko reported that a nine-story residential building was struck in the Desnianskyi district of the city, damaging the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building.
Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said that a 16-story residential facility was struck in the Desnianskyi district, leading to a fire. Windows were reportedly shattered between the 1st and 9th floors of the building.
The drone debris from the attack also fell on a 16-floor apartment building in Obolonskyi district, leaving minor damage, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration.
Videos posted on social media appear to show a large fire at one of the buildings damaged.
Russia has repeatedly attack Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, with drones since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022. In recent month, Russia's military has intensified its attacks on energy infrastructure, forcing Ukraine to introduce blackouts.
Klitschko warned on Oct. 23 that Kyiv is preparing for what could be the most challenging winter since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Dmytro Basmat
