Ukraine, Russia vow fresh strikes after deadly Russian barrage kills 27 in Kyiv

Ukraine and Russia on Thursday signalled further escalation in their more than four-year war after Moscow unleashed one of its largest aerial assaults on Kyiv, killing at least 27 people, destroying apartment buildings and forcing tens of thousands of residents into underground shelters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed retaliation as he visited a residential building partially destroyed in the overnight attack.

“We will definitely respond,” Zelensky said.

The latest strike prompted renewed international condemnation. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she would propose another round of sanctions against Moscow, while Zelensky urged the United States to approve licences allowing Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defence missiles domestically.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attack and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire.

“Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure wherever they occur are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

The Kremlin, however, indicated there would be no change in its military strategy, pledging to intensify pressure on Kyiv.

One of Kyiv’s deadliest attacks

Russia has repeatedly launched waves of missiles and drones during its invasion, Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

Explosions echoed across central and eastern Kyiv through the night as missiles and drones struck residential neighbourhoods. AFP journalists witnessed residents rushing into metro stations that were converted into bomb shelters.

By morning, smoke hung over the capital as rescue workers searched through the rubble of shattered apartment blocks.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described it as the “enemy’s most massive attack on the capital.”

According to the head of Kyiv’s military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, at least 27 people were killed and 91 others injured.

The Ukrainian Red Cross said one of its main warehouses was destroyed, wiping out humanitarian aid worth around $2 million.

The barrage also damaged a building housing several diplomatic missions, though all EU personnel were safe, according to EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper.

In the central city of Kryvyi Rig, two people were injured after a Russian missile struck a densely populated neighbourhood early Friday.

Ukraine presses for more air defence

Following the attack, Kyiv renewed calls for stronger air defence support from Western allies.

“We also very much count on a decision by the United States regarding licences for Patriots,” Zelensky wrote on Facebook.

After talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, he stressed that defending against ballistic missiles was impossible without an adequate supply of Patriot interceptor missiles.

Ukraine has been seeking permission to manufacture munitions for the US-made Patriot system, although defence analysts say establishing domestic production would take considerable time.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 496 drones and 74 missiles, including ballistic missiles that are difficult to intercept. It claimed to have shot down 48 missiles and 476 drones.

Thousands shelter underground

Residents described scenes of devastation after the attack.

“Half the building has been destroyed. The roof is gone,” said 32-year-old factory worker Sabina Mambetova, whose apartment in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district was heavily damaged.

“I’ve been left without an apartment, alone with my child. I don’t know what to do now,” she said.

According to Kyiv Metro, around 52,000 people—including 4,500 children—took shelter in underground stations overnight, the highest number recorded in recent years.

Others spent the night in basements and building corridors as explosions rocked the city.

“It’s hard,” said 32-year-old doctor Kateryna Kucheryava, speaking from a metro station.

“My child is used to sleeping in complete silence and darkness. I picked her up and carried her down. She woke up and now she’s not sleeping anymore.”

Families set up tents, air mattresses and camping chairs along station platforms as parents tried to comfort young children through the night.

Zelensky cuts trip short

The attack came just hours after Zelensky abruptly ended a visit to Dublin on Wednesday, citing intelligence that Russia was preparing a major strike.

He later said Russian President Vladimir Putin “has been preparing this massive strike against Ukraine for some time now.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified long-range drone attacks deep inside Russian territory in recent weeks, targeting military installations and energy infrastructure.

Russian authorities have reported repeated Ukrainian drone strikes in border regions, while Moscow claims its air defence systems have intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones in recent days, underscoring the continued escalation of the conflict.