Russia Intensifies Assault on Ukraine with Major Drone and Missile Strikes on Kyiv

On Wednesday, Russia intensified its assault on Ukraine, launching a combined attack of drones and missiles on Kyiv for the first time in over two months. This escalation comes as fighting escalates in eastern Ukraine and concerns grow over the continuity of US support following Donald Trump’s recent election victory.

In the early hours, explosions resounded throughout Kyiv as residents took refuge in metro stations. One person was injured in Brovary, a suburb of the capital, after drone debris fell. Emergency crews shared photos showing firefighters at various impact sites. At the same time, Kherson, a southern region claimed by Russia, was struck by another drone attack, killing a 52-year-old woman, according to local officials. Air raid sirens in Kyiv began sounding around 4:30 a.m. GMT, warning of incoming missiles.

As the missiles approached, authorities reported an additional ballistic missile attack, followed by another wave of drones. This attack came just a day after a Russian strike on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown, which tragically claimed the lives of a young mother and her three children.

Last week also saw both Russia and Ukraine conducting record overnight drone strikes against each other. Ukraine has been urgently requesting additional air defense systems from Western allies to defend against these intensified attacks.

However, Trump’s election victory now casts doubt on the continued US aid to Kyiv, as he has previously criticized the support as a drain on US resources.