Kathmandu— At least sixteen people were killed and approximately forty wounded in a large-scale Russian aerial attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight, officials reported Thursday. The assault involved scores of missiles and drones, lasting for hours and impacting 28 locations across Ukraine, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the strikes. Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly appealed for increased supplies of Patriot air defense interceptors as Russia intensifies its ballistic missile attacks, exploiting existing shortages in Ukraine's defenses.

Escalation Of Attacks

Moscow has recently stepped up its use of ballistic missiles against Kyiv, taking advantage of a critical shortage of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors within the Ukrainian arsenal. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged international partners to provide more interceptors, but global stockpiles are limited due to ongoing conflicts and Ukraine’s protracted fight against Russia's full-scale invasion. The overnight barrage combined cruise missiles and fast-flying jet-powered drones, further challenging Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.

Widespread Damage And Casualties

Explosions rocked Kyiv throughout the night as emergency services responded to multiple impact sites. Fifteen fatalities occurred within the capital city itself, with an additional death reported in the broader Kyiv region. The attacks damaged residential buildings, a medical facility, and an educational institution across several districts – Darnytskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Solomianskyi. In one instance, the top two floors of a nine-story residential building were destroyed, trapping residents within. Larysa Bondaruk, a 60-year-old resident who rescued her cat Chanel with the help of firefighters, described the scene as “incredibly loud,” recounting debris and fire erupting after a rocket struck her apartment building’s roof.

Russian Claims And Counterattacks

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the attack targeted an industrial site in Kyiv producing components for Ukraine's Flamingo cruise missiles, along with facilities involved in drone production, storage, and logistics. Simultaneously, Russia reported intercepting 726 Ukrainian drones overnight over various regions, including annexed Crimea and the Black and Azov Seas – one of Ukraine’s largest aerial attacks to date. However, there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties within Russia.

NATO Response And Regional Concerns

The Russian strikes prompted heightened alert levels among neighboring European countries. Poland activated its military aviation operations, air defense systems, and radar reconnaissance, deploying aircraft to monitor its airspace. Romania scrambled fighter jets after detecting unidentified drones near its border with Ukraine, while Moldova reported a breach of its airspace by at least one unauthorized drone. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asserted that Russia “is increasingly testing the resolve of NATO and its partners,” deliberately expanding the risks beyond Ukraine’s borders.

Emergency crews continue to work at the impacted sites in Kyiv, searching for survivors and providing assistance to those affected by the attacks. The ongoing conflict continues to escalate tensions within the region.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.