News Feed

Russia launches missile attack on Kyiv for first time since early October

2 min read
Russia launches missile attack on Kyiv for first time since early October
The aftermath of the Russian attack against Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, on Nov. 8, 2024. (Kyiv Oblast Regional Police / Telegram)

Russian forces attacked Kyiv and the surrounding Oblast with drones and a missile overnight on Nov. 8, local authorities reported.

While Russian drone attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities have escalated in recent months, the use of missiles in aerial strikes has dropped significantly.

Experts have previously told the Kyiv Independent this could be a tactic to wear down air defenses ahead of a mass-missile strike targeting the country's already battered civilian energy infrastructure.

Due to Russian drones approaching, the air raid alert in Kyiv sounded at around 9:30 p.m. local time on Nov. 7, and the all-clear wasn't given until just after 7:30 a.m. the following morning.

At around 10 p.m. local time, the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported that air defense was operating in the area.

At dawn, around 5:30 a.m. local time, the Ukrainian Air Force announced the launch of the missile toward the capital. Ukrainian forces did not specify what type.

Kyiv Independent reporters heard a loud explosion shortly after.

Russian missiles have not been downed near or over Kyiv since early October 2024.

None of the drones or a missile hit their targets, while debris from downed aerial targets damaged buildings and injured civilians in Kyiv Oblast, according to local authorities.

In Kyiv Oblast, four men suffered injuries of varying severity. All of them were hospitalized, regional police reported.

"These are the drivers of the cars that were in the car near the place where the debris fell," regional Governor Ruslan Kravchenko said.

"One of them is in serious condition; two other drivers are in moderate condition. The other suffered minor injuries. All are being provided with medical care."

Six houses and four cars were damaged in the attack. There was also a fire on the grass flooring and a fire in the premises of a defunct gas station, which was extinguished.

As of the morning of Nov. 8, local authorities in Kyiv itself  had not reported any damage or casualties, and air defense was not operating in the city.

Ukrainian soldiers react to Trump’s victory: ‘This could be a disaster,’ others say Biden was ‘impotent’
Donald Trump claimed victory in the U.S. presidential elections on Nov. 6, bringing additional uncertainty for many Ukrainian soldiers who already struggle to see the future of the war. Though doubt looms over Trump’s moves in the coming months, his warm relationship with Russian President Vladimir…
Article image
Avatar
Kateryna Hodunova

News Editor

Kateryna Hodunova is a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a sports journalist in several Ukrainian outlets and was the deputy chief editor at Suspilne Sport. Kateryna covered the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and was included in the Special Mentions list at the AIPS Sport Media Awards. She holds a bachelor's degree in political journalism from Taras Shevchenko University and a master's degree in political science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

Read more
News Feed
 (Updated:  )

Ukrainians on July 25 participated in mass protests against a controversial new law impacting anti-corruption agencies for the fourth day in a row. President Zelensky earlier addressed criticism of the law, saying there should have been a dialogue between parliament and society before its adoption.

Show More