250 drones, 14 missiles: At least 15 injured as Russia carries out massive attack on Kyiv; Zelenskyy says ‘there are fatalities’ | World News

In one of the largest aerial assaults on Kyiv since the war began, Russia launched a barrage of ballic missiles and drones that left at least 15 people injured and several buildings damaged across the Ukrainian capital, local officials were quoted as saying news agency Reuters.
Kyiv bore the brunt of the assault Moscow which unfolded in successive waves in the early hours of Saturday. Moscow deployed about 14 ballic missiles and more than 250 long-range drones of which majority were the Iranian “Shaheds”, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post.
Calling it a “difficult night” for Ukraine, Zelenskyy said all the strikes targeted civilians and that there are fatalities.
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He also called for new international sanctions to pressure Moscow into a ceasefire. “It is clear that far stronger pressure must be imposed on Russia to get results and launch real diplomacy. We are awaiting sanctions steps from the United States, Europe, and all our partners. Only additional sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy will force Moscow to cease fire. I thank everyone who helps and supports us,” he wrote on X.
“With each such attack, the world becomes more certain that the cause of prolonging the war lies in Moscow. Ukraine has proposed a ceasefire many times — both a full one and one in the skies. It all has been ignored,” Zelenskyy added.

Fragments of Russian missiles and drones are being cleared in Kyiv. Rescue and emergency operations are ongoing at the sites of strikes and debris impacts — wherever they are needed. There were many fires and explosions in the city overnight. Once again, residential buildings,… pic.twitter.com/F3szA4gCJz
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 24, 2025
Widespread damage across Kyiv
Several dricts of the city reported damage. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that debris from a downed drone struck the top floor of an apartment block in the Solomynskyi drict, causing a fire in the building. Another blaze broke out in a residential building in Dniprovskyi drict, according to city military adminration chief Timur Tkachenko.
Police officers investigate fragments of a Russian drone at the site of a residential building damaged after the Russian attack. (AP Photo)
Fires were also reported in the Obolon area in northern Kyiv, and debris was found on a shopping centre near. Images circulating on social media showed flames rising from rooftops and smoke drifting across the skyline.
Authorities reported damage in at least six dricts.

Prisoner exchange
Despite the intensifying violence, both Kyiv and Moscow agreed to a recent request US President Donald Trump to resume peace talks.Story continues below this ad
The two countries conducted a significant prisoner exchange on Friday, which Trump welcomed as a first step toward broader negotiations. However, both sides continue to accuse each other of lacking commitment to a genuine ceasefire.
As of Saturday morning, Russia had not issued any official statement regarding the strikes. The assault follows several days of Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russian territory—reportedly around 800 in total—including strikes on Moscow, according to Reuters.
On Friday, Russian Foreign Miner Sergei Lavrov had vowed retaliation following the Ukrainian operations.
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