Russian missile and drone strikes pounded Kyiv early Thursday, killing two people and wounding over a dozen others. The assault came just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow was preparing a "massive attack" against Ukraine.
The barrage is the latest in a relentless campaign of aerial strikes that has targeted Ukrainian cities throughout Russia's more than four-year invasion. The conflict has become Europe's deadliest since World War II, with civilian areas frequently caught in the crossfire.
Ukraine's air force had issued warnings that ballistic missiles were heading toward the capital shortly before the strikes began. The attack involved both missiles and drones, according to local authorities, though specific numbers or types of munitions were not immediately disclosed.
This escalation follows a pattern of intensified Russian assaults on urban centers, particularly Kyiv, as the war enters its fifth year. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called for more Western air defense systems to counter such strikes, but deliveries have been slow and uneven.
The attack underscores the persistent threat to civilians even as both sides explore diplomatic channels. Experts caution that without significant air defense upgrades, cities like Kyiv will remain vulnerable to similar barrages.