Deadly wave of Russian missiles pummel Ukraine as Kyiv’s drones spark Moscow airport disruptions

Russia launched a massive overnight attack on Ukraine late Sunday, firing 450 missiles and drones. While Ukrainian air defense intercepted most of them, 23 struck targets across three regions. Debris from destroyed projectiles landed in 12 locations, the Ukrainian Air Force said Monday.

Nationwide air raid sirens sounded for hours as explosions rocked several cities. Local authorities reported at least two deaths and 16 injuries in the past 24 hours.

“Russian strikes are always an assault on humanity,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky. “In Kyiv, a kindergarten caught fire, along with homes and other civilian infrastructure.”

The alert in Kyiv started at 11 p.m. and lasted eight hours. Police confirmed one death and six injuries. Fires broke out in several parts of the capital, including rooftops of buildings and a supermarket in Darnytskyi. In central Kyiv, two apartment buildings and a shopping mall were damaged. Debris also landed on a kindergarten in Dniprovskiy.

Standing in the charred remains of his apartment, resident Oleksandr Berdychevskyi described the terrifying night.

“There were three explosions. I was in bed when the fourth hit,” he told CNN. “The door blew open, glass hit me, and the balcony caught fire.”

He managed to escape through a jammed front door, pushed open by adrenaline. All his documents and savings burned. “I only have 2,000 hryvnias in my wallet,” he said — around $50.

His mother, Liliya, wept while sifting through the ashes. “They are monsters. Just monsters,” she said. “Thank God my granddaughter wasn’t home.”

Elsewhere in the capital, residents rushed into subway stations for shelter. Kateryna, who gave only her first name, said the strikes caused panic. “There was smoke and dust. We all got scared,” she told Reuters. “But we’ve learned how to survive. We helped each other and the animals too.”

In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed 12 strikes. One blast sparked a fire near a residential complex. Other areas saw broken windows, damaged tram lines, and downed wires.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia used a mix of cruise, ballistic, and advanced Kinzhal missiles, which are harder to intercept. This follows a pattern of intensified strikes in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Russia launched its biggest drone assault on Ukraine so far: 728 drones and 13 missiles in one night.

Ukraine also retaliated with long-range drones. Over the weekend, major airports in Moscow were forced to delay or cancel flights. Russian media showed videos of passengers sleeping on airport floors. Moscow’s mayor confirmed 49 drones were shot down with no reported injuries.

The Russian defense ministry also reported drone interceptions in six western and southern regions, including Kursk, Rostov, and Bryansk.

President Zelensky has renewed calls for peace talks with Russia, amid pressure from the U.S. for a ceasefire deal. The Kremlin responded that it was ready to move quickly, but emphasized its goal remained to achieve its strategic objectives.

Peace efforts have stalled since early June. A brief round of talks in Istanbul ended after just one hour. Ukraine has refused to agree to any territorial concessions.

As strikes continue and talks stall, civilians in both countries brace for more nights filled with fear and uncertainty.

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