Photos: Russia unleashes deadliest Kyiv air attack this year

In a devastating blow to Ukraine’s capital, Russia launched what authorities are calling the deadliest air attack on Kyiv so far this year. The city was rocked by a barrage of missiles and drones overnight, leaving residents running for cover and emergency crews racing to respond. Photos from the scene capture the chaos and destruction: buildings scarred by explosions, firefighters dousing smoldering wreckage, and citizens looking dazed as they survey the damage. The assault shattered windows and sent shockwaves through multiple neighborhoods, marking a grim escalation in the ongoing conflict. Local officials say that air defense forces successfully intercepted dozens of incoming threats, but debris from the intense barrage caused tragic casualties and left entire apartment blocks heavily damaged. Amid the debris and flashing blue lights, Kyiv’s first responders worked tirelessly to rescue injured people and clear the rubble. As emergency sirens wailed through the night, the city’s resilience was tested yet again, with many people taking shelter in basements and underground metro stations for safety. The attack occurred at a tense moment in the war, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by ordinary Ukrainians. In recent months, Russia has ramped up its air campaign against Ukrainian cities, using both advanced missiles and drones to target infrastructure and civilian areas. The latest strike on Kyiv is being closely watched by the international community, with many world leaders condemning the escalation and calling for renewed efforts to secure peace. As Kyiv begins to pick up the pieces, the true scale of the damage is still being assessed. Authorities continue rescue and recovery operations, and residents are now grappling with both heartbreak and fear as uncertainty looms over what comes next. The shock of this attack is felt not only in Ukraine, but also among communities around the world who are following these developments from afar. For further updates, contact Reuters partner Refinitiv US LLC at their New York office, located at 28 Liberty St, Floor 58, New York, NY, 10005-1457, United States, or reach them by phone at 770-964-6545. The world watches on, hoping for relief and resilience in the face of growing adversity.