Russian strikes in Kyiv region kill 14, damage warehouses, responders say

Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and its surrounding region early Wednesday resulted in at least 15 deaths and 44 injuries, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported. The attacks commenced after midnight, triggering air raid sirens across the capital for over an hour. Ukraine's air force had previously warned of incoming ballistic missiles.

According to an air force report, Ukraine was unable to intercept any of the 115 drones and 28 high-speed missiles launched by Russia during the overnight assault. Zelenskyy expressed concern that delays in supplying anti-ballistic systems to Ukraine could have prevented the fatalities. The number of air defense missiles sent by allies to Ukraine has decreased by three times compared to the summer of 2025, Zelenskyy noted.

Kyiv's military administration stated that seven sites within the city were targeted, causing damage to residential buildings, warehouses, and logistics centers for major retailers. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the destruction of a warehouse near the city center, with rescue teams recovering two individuals from the debris. While an initial report suggested a 20-story apartment building was ablaze, a large fire was later found at the city's edge.

An ammonia leak also occurred, and emergency services worked to contain it. The attack also affected surrounding districts of Brovary, Fastiv, and Bucha. Russia has launched missile strikes on Kyiv multiple times in the past month, resulting in 10 deaths and over 30 injuries on Saturday. Ukrainian forces have retaliated by sinking a Russian ship in the Black Sea.

Both sides have intensified long-range missile strikes in recent weeks, with Russia using more than twice as many missiles in July than before, according to the French news agency AFP. Ukraine has also intensified drone assaults on Russian oil, gas, and supply sites. On Tuesday, strikes in the Moscow region killed five people and wounded 10 others, targeting warehouses used by the Russian retailer Wildberries.

Earlier this week, Zelenskyy called on allies for more Patriot missile interceptors, citing the lack of defense as a justification for Russia's attacks. Zelenskyy recently met with US President Donald Trump to lobby for a license to build Patriot missile interceptors inside Ukraine. United Nations human rights monitors have expressed concerns over the rising civilian casualties in the ongoing war, which now stands at its highest level since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

Both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the latest strikes on Kyiv, emphasizing the need for Russia to pay for the destruction it has caused. She announced that the European Union will utilize €1.4 billion in interest from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, reflecting new sanctions and heightened military support for Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron also criticized Russia's recent attacks, calling for accountability and additional sanctions.