A major overnight Russian air assault has struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the western city of Lviv, resulting in multiple casualties and damage to critical infrastructure. The attack, which involved a barrage of drones and missiles, killed three people and injured at least sixteen others in Kyiv alone.
Wave of Strikes Hits Capital and West
The assault began overnight on Thursday, 8th January 2026, and continued into the early hours of Friday, 9th January. Ukrainian authorities reported strikes across several districts of Kyiv. According to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, the attack caused significant damage in multiple locations.
In the city's Desnyanskyi district, a drone crashed onto the roof of a multi-storey residential building. At another address in the same district, the first two floors of an apartment block were severely damaged. Further impact was felt in the Dnipro district, where debris from a downed drone damaged another building and sparked a fire.
High-Speed Ballistic Missile Targets Lviv
Simultaneously, the western city of Lviv, a crucial hub for logistics and refugees, was also targeted. Mayor Andriy Sadoviy confirmed that critical infrastructure was struck by an unidentified ballistic missile. The Western Command of Ukraine's Air Force later provided startling details, stating the missile was travelling at approximately 13,000 kilometres per hour (over 8,000 miles per hour). Officials confirmed an investigation is underway to determine the specific type of rocket used in this high-speed attack.
Disruption and a Stark Presidential Warning
The consequences of the strikes were felt across Kyiv's essential services. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that the attack disrupted running water and electricity supplies in parts of the capital, adding to the hardship for residents.
This large-scale offensive came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a stark warning to the nation. He alerted citizens to Russia's intentions to launch a major new offensive, suggesting Moscow aimed to exploit the current frigid winter conditions. President Zelenskyy stated that Russia intended to take advantage of the perilously icy roads and streets, likely to complicate defence and humanitarian efforts.
