Russia launches heavy airstrikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities

Russian forces carried out an intense wave of air attacks across Ukraine, targeting the capital Kyiv and several eastern and northeastern cities including Saporischschja, Pawlohrad, Sumy and Kharkiv. Dozens of rockets, cruise missiles and combat drones struck multi‑storey buildings, setting a hotel ablaze and destroying residential blocks.

Residents of Kyiv were woken from sleep as explosions reverberated, prompting many to seek refuge in underground metro stations where they set up tents. Witnesses described the blasts as "incredibly loud" even inside deep shelters. Initial casualty figures were not yet confirmed, and the full extent of damage remained unclear.