Russian strike destroys section of Kyiv apartment building; at least 13 killed

A Russian drone strike destroyed an entire section of a nine-story residential building in Kyiv, killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens more, Ukrainian officials said.

The strike happened overnight into Thursday in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district, where rescue crews were still searching through the rubble.

Kyiv officials confirmed 13 deaths in the strike and collapse of the building. Rescue officials, cited by local media, said nearly 50 people were injured. Zelenskyy earlier said more than 10 people were missing as crews worked to find people under the debris.

The apartment building was hit during one of Russia’s largest overnight attacks on Ukraine in recent months. Zelenskyy said Russia launched more than 670 attack drones and 56 missiles, including ballistic, aeroballistic and cruise missiles, with Kyiv as the main target.

Damage was reported at 20 locations across the capital, including residential buildings, a school, a veterinary clinic and other civilian sites.

Across Ukraine, 180 sites were damaged, including more than 50 residential buildings, according to Zelenskyy. He said about 40 people were injured in Kyiv, seven others in the Kyiv region, 28 in Kharkiv and two in the Odesa region.

Zelenskyy said Russia has used more than 1,560 drones against Ukrainian cities and communities since midnight Wednesday. “These are definitely not the actions of those who believe the war is coming to an end,” he said.

Separately, Zelenskyy said Russian forces twice attacked a vehicle belonging to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs during a humanitarian mission in Kherson. The head of the UN office and eight other staff members were inside, but no injuries were reported and the personnel were evacuated.