Russia launched the largest missile and drone barrage on Kyiv since the start of the war in Ukraine, officials said Friday, as Moscow steps up its efforts to capture more Ukrainian territory.
The overnight aerial assault lasted seven hours, killing one person and injuring at least 26 others, including a child, Ukrainian officials confirmed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as “a harsh, sleepless night” for the capital.
Shortly after the attack, Zelenskyy held what he called a “very important and productive” phone conversation with US President Donald Trump to discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, joint weapons production, and broader US-led efforts to end the war with Russia, as reported by AP.
Zelenskyy’s office said they discussed the possibility of future meetings between their teams to explore ways of enhancing Ukraine’s protection, particularly through direct projects in drone technology and defense industry cooperation. They also exchanged views on military procurement, investment, and diplomatic efforts with international partners.
The White House did not immediately comment on the call.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 550 drones and missiles across Ukraine during the night, including 11 missiles. Most of the aerial assault involved Shahed drones.
The attack caused severe damage across multiple districts of Kyiv. Emergency services removed more than 300 tons of rubble, while five ambulances responding to the aftermath were also damaged.
Blasts lit up the night sky and echoed across the city as air raid sirens wailed. “Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X. He called it “one of the worst so far.”
Kyiv’s Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko described “families running into metro stations, basements, underground parking garages, mass destruction in the heart of our capital.”
“What Kyiv endured last night cannot be called anything but a deliberate act of terror,” Svyrydenko wrote on X.
At least 14 people were hospitalized in Kyiv, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
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Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces targeted military production sites in Kyiv, including drone factories.
Meanwhile, another prisoner swap took place Friday. Zelenskyy said most of the Ukrainian soldiers freed had been in Russian captivity since 2022 and were classified as “wounded and seriously ill.” The total number of soldiers exchanged was not disclosed by either side.
The assault on Kyiv came hours after a phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
When asked if any progress was made toward ending the war, Trump said, “No, I didn’t make any progress with him today at all.” He added, “I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin because I don’t think he’s there. I don’t think he’s looking to stop (the fighting), and that’s too bad.”
Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said the Russian leader told Trump that Moscow will continue its efforts to achieve its objectives in Ukraine and eliminate the “root causes” of the conflict.
“Russia will not back down from these goals,” Ushakov told reporters after the call.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with Putin falsely claiming it was necessary to protect Russian-speaking civilians in eastern Ukraine and to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.
Ukraine's military is under pressure as Russia intensifies attacks along the 1,000-kilometer front line and escalates aerial strikes. Official data compiled by The Associated Press shows that Russia launched 5,438 drones and more than 330 missiles across Ukraine in June alone, a new monthly record.
Throughout Thursday night, AP journalists in Kyiv reported the constant buzzing of drones, explosions, and intense machine-gun fire as Ukrainian forces tried to intercept incoming threats.
Ukraine’s air defenses reportedly shot down 270 targets, including two cruise missiles, though another 208 targets were lost from radar and presumed jammed.
Russia struck eight locations with nine missiles and 63 drones, while debris from intercepted drones fell across 33 sites. In addition to Kyiv, damage was reported in the Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions.
Zelenskyy condemned the attack on Kyiv as “cynical.” Emergency services reported damage in at least five of the capital's 10 districts.