KYIV: Russia launched more than 670 drones and 56 missiles at Ukraine overnight in one of the most intense aerial assaults in recent months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, as emergency teams continued rescue operations in Kyiv following a major strike on a residential building.
Authorities said part of a nine-storey apartment block in the capital collapsed after being hit, trapping residents under rubble. Rescue teams pulled dozens of people from the debris, while at least one death has been confirmed.
Officials warned that several others may still be trapped as rescue and search operations continued into the day following the overnight strikes.
Zelensky described the overnight barrage as one of the heaviest attacks in recent months, saying Russian forces used a combination of ballistic, aeroballistic and cruise missiles along with hundreds of drones, with Kyiv as the main target.
A rescue operation is currently underway in Kyiv at the site of a Russian drone strike on a nine-story residential building – an entire section of the building has been completely destroyed. Dozens of people have been rescued. Tragically, one person has been killed. My… pic.twitter.com/HKyqZ4sFv3
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 14, 2026
He said around 20 sites across the capital were damaged, including residential buildings, a school, a veterinary clinic, and other civilian infrastructure. Damage was also reported in surrounding areas of the Kyiv region.
Outside Kyiv, strikes were reported in several parts of the country. Energy facilities in Kremenchuk were targeted, while port infrastructure and residential areas in Chornomorsk also came under attack during the coordinated assault.
Zelensky added that since midnight the previous day, Russia had launched more than 1,500 drones across Ukraine, saying the scale of attacks showed Moscow was not interested in ending the war.
He urged international partners to increase air defence support and maintain pressure on Russia, stressing that stronger protection systems were essential to safeguard civilians and critical infrastructure.
The assault comes amid ongoing fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces, with intensified aerial strikes continuing to place heavy strain on cities, energy systems, and civilian populations across Ukraine.
