Russia strikes Kyiv with ballistic missiles, killing two civilians

Russia struck the Ukrainian capital with ballistic missiles and drones on Thursday, killing two civilians and wounding several others, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. The attacks came as a series of blasts rocked Kyiv, a city already under siege for months. Russian forces have been targeting civilian infrastructure to break Ukraine’s will, and this latest strike adds to a growing list of attacks on power plants, substations and transport hubs.

The timing is no accident. As autumn turns to winter, Ukraine’s energy grid is under extreme strain. Russia has repeatedly struck power stations and transmission lines, causing blackouts across the country. Kyiv’s residents now face a bleak winter, with heat and electricity shortages threatening hospitals and schools. Moscow’s strategy appears to be a war of attrition, using sustained missile and drone fire to sap Ukraine’s ability to sustain its civilian population and its war effort.

This assault follows a wave of attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure that began in early 2024. The Russian military has deployed a mix of short‑range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and loitering drones. According to Ukrainian officials, the last 24 hours saw at least 30 missiles fired from the east and south, with 12 of them hitting the capital. The damage to Kyiv’s power grid has already forced the city to ration electricity, and emergency services are stretched thin. In response, Zelensky called on NATO allies to increase air defence support and urged the international community to impose new sanctions on Russia.

The next few days will see Ukraine scrambling to repair damaged infrastructure and protect key facilities. Kyiv’s defence ministry has announced plans to deploy additional anti‑missile systems and to intensify patrols around critical sites. Internationally, the EU and the United States have condemned the attacks and promised further assistance, including humanitarian aid for displaced civilians. If Russia escalates, the risk of a broader conflict grows, and the world watches closely for any shift in the balance of power.