Powerful explosions reverberated through Kiev in the early hours of Sunday (April 6), as Russia launched a massive assault with 23 missiles and 109 drones on the Ukrainian capital, leaving at least one dead and three injured. The bombardment struck residential areas, sparking fires and placing the entire country under air raid alerts, while Poland, a NATO member, scrambled fighter jets to safeguard its airspace along the border. Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to seek shelter as emergency crews battled to contain the damage. Ukrainian forces intercepted part of the barrage, but the strikes still inflicted significant harm on civilian structures, underscoring the ferocity of a conflict now stretching beyond its second year.
The assault comes just two days after a Russian bombing killed 19 people, including nine children, in Kryvyi Rih, southern Ukraine, amplifying the stakes of this latest escalation. With one of the largest aerial offensives in recent months, Russia continues to target both strategic and civilian sites, despite Ukraine’s retaliatory strikes into Russian territory. Meanwhile, Poland has remained on high alert since 2022, when a stray Ukrainian missile killed two civilians on its soil, prompting regular deployments of aircraft near the frontier. This Sunday’s events highlight the unrelenting pressure of a war showing no immediate signs of abating.
Beyond Kiev, other Ukrainian cities reported explosions and damage, with air raid sirens blaring nationwide. The Ukrainian air force noted that the attack combined ballistic and cruise missiles with drones, launched from multiple directions. Defense systems sprang into action, with locals hearing the telltale blasts of interceptions overhead. The situation lays bare the vulnerability of urban centers and the increasing sophistication of weaponry in use, as the war nears its third year with little prospect of peace.
Damage and response in Kiev
Chaos gripped the Ukrainian capital as the Russian attack unfolded before dawn. Residential buildings took direct hits, and fires erupted across districts like Holosiivskyi, Darnytskiy, and Dniprovskyi. Firefighters and rescue teams worked under intense conditions to extinguish flames and free victims trapped in rubble. One man was found dead on a street near an explosion site, while two of the injured were rushed to hospitals in eastern Kiev, and a third received on-site treatment, according to local officials.
The strikes left residents reeling, with accounts of blasts so strong they shook the ground. A vendor at a nearby market described seeing smoke rise after a deafening detonation. Civilian infrastructure, including power and water networks, sustained damage in parts of the city, compounding the hardship for locals. Despite downing some missiles and drones, Ukraine’s air defenses couldn’t prevent all impacts, revealing the challenge of shielding a metropolis of over three million from such an onslaught.
A Russian attack killed at least 19 people, including nine children, in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih but Russia’s Defence Ministry said it was targeting a military gathering https://t.co/Lmk3zs1QW6 pic.twitter.com/v22RiCJ8oy
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 5, 2025
Poland on high alert
Poland swiftly deployed fighter jets to patrol its border with Ukraine as the Russian missiles flew perilously close to its airspace. The Polish armed forces’ operational command stated the move was a precaution due to the attack’s proximity. Since 2022, when a misfired Ukrainian missile struck Przewodów, killing two, the country has kept a heightened state of readiness, especially during Russian strikes near western Ukraine, like Lviv. No incursions occurred this time, but the response reflects Poland’s wariness as a NATO ally neighboring an active warzone.
Scale of the Russian assault
The sheer volume and diversity of Russia’s weaponry stood out in this barrage. A total of 23 missiles—ballistic and cruise variants—joined 109 drones, many identified as Iranian-designed Shahed models. Ukraine’s air force reported neutralizing 13 missiles and 67 drones, with others veering off course or failing to reach their targets. Launched from locations including the Black Sea and Russian border regions, the attack showcased intricate planning aimed at overwhelming Ukrainian defenses.
Such large-scale aerial campaigns have become a grim hallmark of the war, with their pace quickening in recent months. In 2024 alone, Russia has fired over 1,500 drones and 1,200 missiles at Ukraine, targeting military and civilian sites alike. The tactic appears designed to exhaust air defenses and disrupt daily life, particularly in major hubs like Kiev, Kharkiv, and Odesa, which face near-constant threats.
Kiev, a focal point of Ukrainian resistance and governance, has endured over 20 significant air raids since the conflict began in 2022. This Sunday’s bombardment underscores Russia’s ability to sustain a punishing air campaign, even after years of economic sanctions and battlefield losses.
Key targets and fallout
The assault extended beyond the capital, hitting other Ukrainian regions like Sumy in the northeast and Lviv in the west. In Sumy, a residential strike on November 17 left 11 dead and 89 injured, illustrating the deadly toll on civilians. In Lviv, near Poland, energy facilities were damaged, disrupting power to multiple towns.
In Kiev, the strikes targeted residential zones and possibly critical infrastructure, though full damage assessments are still underway. Fires in at least three districts demanded swift action from emergency responders, who struggled with the scale of destruction. Residents, accustomed to air raid warnings, fled to underground shelters like metro stations as explosions echoed through the night.
Here’s a snapshot of the attack’s toll in Kiev:
- One confirmed death and three injuries so far.
- Fires raging in residential areas like Holosiivskyi and Darnytskiy.
- Damage to civilian buildings and basic infrastructure.
- Heavy engagement by Ukrainian air defense systems.
These effects highlight the severity of the crisis and the human cost of an unrelenting war.
Border tensions in context
Poland’s response to the Russian attack builds on a history of vigilance. Since the war’s onset in February 2022, the country has closely tracked Russian military moves, especially when projectiles near its border. The 2022 Przewodów incident, where a Ukrainian defense missile killed two farmers, underscored the risks, indirectly blaming Russia for sparking the chaos.
Polish F-16s have since taken flight multiple times. In December 2023, a Russian missile briefly crossed Polish airspace for three minutes before retreating, prompting diplomatic protests. Another breach in March 2024 saw a Russian projectile stray 2 km into Poland. These close calls illustrate how Ukraine’s war spills over, testing the resolve of neighboring NATO states.
Sunday’s jet deployment was precautionary but signals Poland’s precarious role. Hosting over 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees and sharing a 535 km border, the country is a vital humanitarian and logistical hub, all while guarding against Russian threats.
Recent war developments
The Kiev attack follows a wave of intense Russian strikes in recent weeks. On March 19, hours after ceasefire talks between Russian and U.S. officials, Russia bombed Slovyansk’s energy grid, plunging parts of the eastern city into darkness. That same day, residential blasts in Kramatorsk showed the conflict’s persistence despite diplomatic overtures.
Just two days prior to this Sunday, Kryvyi Rih suffered a devastating strike that killed 19, including nine children—one of the deadliest civilian attacks in months. Russia claimed it targeted a military meeting, but footage of ruined homes told a different story. Ukraine retaliated, hitting Russian oil depots and military sites in Tula and Kaluga with drones.
Entering its third year, the war has claimed over 10,000 civilian lives and injured 20,000 more in Ukraine, per UN estimates. Both sides escalate with long-range weapons—Russia with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, Ukraine with drones reaching over 1,000 km—fueling a cycle of vengeance that keeps tensions sky-high.
Ukrainian defiance and defense
Facing the onslaught, Ukraine’s military showed grit, downing 13 of the 23 missiles and 67 of the 109 drones. Air defenses, including U.S.-supplied Patriot systems and Soviet-era S-300s, operated at full tilt to protect Kiev and beyond. Residents described hearing secondary blasts from interceptions, a now-familiar sound in the capital.
Civilians, too, displayed resilience. Thousands sheltered in Kiev’s metro and other bunkers, aided by volunteers distributing water and blankets. Despite the terror, a steely resolve persists among Ukrainians enduring near-daily assaults. In 2024, Kiev logged over 50 air alerts in the first quarter alone, up 20% from last year.
Ukraine’s fight isn’t just defensive. Recent months saw ramped-up strikes into Russia, like a March 11 drone attack in Moscow that killed three and shut four airports, proving its reach even under siege.
Global reactions
The international community watches closely as the attack unfolds. Poland’s jet deployment reinforces NATO’s regional vigilance, though the alliance steers clear of direct combat. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg recently called Russia’s strikes “horrific and indiscriminate,” urging more military aid to Ukraine, including air defense systems.
The U.S., Ukraine’s top backer, pushes for tougher sanctions on Russia while pursuing partial ceasefire talks. Yet, this Sunday’s barrage, hot on Kryvyi Rih’s heels, signals Moscow’s defiance, testing Western diplomatic efforts.
Nearby nations like Moldova feel the war’s ripple effects, with Russian drone debris landing on its soil four times since 2022. Romania, another NATO member, has found Shahed wreckage along its Danube coast, heightening regional security fears.
Timeline of recent strikes
The past months mark a surge in aerial clashes between Russia and Ukraine. Key incidents include:
- November 17, 2024: Russian strike in Sumy kills 11, injures 89.
- March 19: Slovyansk energy grid hit, cutting power.
- April 4: Explosions rock Kiev and other cities.
- April 6: 23 missiles and 109 drones target the capital.
This timeline underscores the relentless pace of Russian attacks and Ukraine’s ongoing struggle.
Civilian toll in spotlight
Russia’s strikes leave a trail of ruin in civilian zones, with Kiev’s Sunday ordeal a stark example. Residential buildings crumbled, and sirens mingled with explosion roars painted a scene of panic. Locals reported shattered windows and scarred facades as rescue teams scoured debris for survivors.
Targeting civilians isn’t new. In 2023, Russia hammered Ukraine’s energy grid, plunging millions into winter blackouts. Now, in spring, the focus seems to sap morale, hitting homes and essentials. Over 30 Kiev buildings have been damaged in major raids this year, a tally reflecting the war’s steep price.
Kryvyi Rih’s tragedy two days earlier amplifies this toll. The strike killing 19, including children, stunned Ukraine, renewing calls for global aid. Footage of grieving families and wrecked homes intensified pressure on Western allies for more defenses.
Defense efforts and adaptation
Shielding Kiev from Sunday’s attack was a Herculean task. Ukraine’s air force tracked and downed missiles and drones with a mix of radar and anti-air systems. Of the 109 drones, 67 fell, a solid hit rate, though not enough to stop all damage. The remaining 42 either malfunctioned or were jammed electronically, per military reports.
Kiev’s air defenses, among Ukraine’s strongest, lean on Western gear and rigorous training. Still, the sheer volume of Russian fire strains them, especially in coordinated barrages like this. Since 2022, allies have supplied over 50 anti-air batteries, but ammo restocks and upkeep remain hurdles.
Kiev’s residents have adapted too. Many know their nearest shelters and carry emergency kits with water, food, and flashlights. Schools and hospitals run on backup generators—a lesson from last winter’s outages. This grit sustains Ukraine, though it can’t erase the trauma of nights like this.
Regional ramifications
The attack’s proximity to Poland reignites debate over Eastern Europe’s security. Poland, a NATO base and aid corridor to Ukraine, fears a misstep could draw it into the fray. Sunday’s F-16 scramble was practical but also a political statement of readiness.
Neighbors like Romania and Moldova share the unease. Moldova, outside NATO, has found Russian drone fragments on its land in 2024, while Romania stepped up Black Sea patrols after similar finds. These incidents widen the war’s footprint, unsettling nations striving for neutrality or stability.
NATO backs Ukraine indirectly with arms and intel, avoiding direct clashes with Russia. Sunday’s strike tests this approach, as the alliance weighs responses to Russian missiles nearing its borders.
Aerial conflict highlights
The attack and broader air war offer striking details:
- Russia’s Shahed drones can carry up to 50 kg of explosives.
- Ukraine has downed over 3,000 Russian drones since 2022.
- Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles exceed Mach 10 speeds.
- Kiev boasts over 300 active air raid shelters.
These points showcase the technological and human stakes of a sky turned battlefield.
Looking ahead
As attacks persist, Ukraine bolsters its defenses. Talks for new anti-air systems continue with allies, and domestic drone production jumped 40% in 2024. Russia, meanwhile, upgrades its arsenal, testing missiles like the Oreshnik, used in Dnipro last November, raising the threat level.
Poland plans to beef up its border presence, with NATO drills slated for coming months. The risk of more aerial incidents keeps its forces on edge, while Warsaw pushes for harsher sanctions on Moscow. The war, far from over, keeps reshaping the region with each strike.

Powerful explosions reverberated through Kiev in the early hours of Sunday (April 6), as Russia launched a massive assault with 23 missiles and 109 drones on the Ukrainian capital, leaving at least one dead and three injured. The bombardment struck residential areas, sparking fires and placing the entire country under air raid alerts, while Poland, a NATO member, scrambled fighter jets to safeguard its airspace along the border. Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to seek shelter as emergency crews battled to contain the damage. Ukrainian forces intercepted part of the barrage, but the strikes still inflicted significant harm on civilian structures, underscoring the ferocity of a conflict now stretching beyond its second year.
The assault comes just two days after a Russian bombing killed 19 people, including nine children, in Kryvyi Rih, southern Ukraine, amplifying the stakes of this latest escalation. With one of the largest aerial offensives in recent months, Russia continues to target both strategic and civilian sites, despite Ukraine’s retaliatory strikes into Russian territory. Meanwhile, Poland has remained on high alert since 2022, when a stray Ukrainian missile killed two civilians on its soil, prompting regular deployments of aircraft near the frontier. This Sunday’s events highlight the unrelenting pressure of a war showing no immediate signs of abating.
Beyond Kiev, other Ukrainian cities reported explosions and damage, with air raid sirens blaring nationwide. The Ukrainian air force noted that the attack combined ballistic and cruise missiles with drones, launched from multiple directions. Defense systems sprang into action, with locals hearing the telltale blasts of interceptions overhead. The situation lays bare the vulnerability of urban centers and the increasing sophistication of weaponry in use, as the war nears its third year with little prospect of peace.
Damage and response in Kiev
Chaos gripped the Ukrainian capital as the Russian attack unfolded before dawn. Residential buildings took direct hits, and fires erupted across districts like Holosiivskyi, Darnytskiy, and Dniprovskyi. Firefighters and rescue teams worked under intense conditions to extinguish flames and free victims trapped in rubble. One man was found dead on a street near an explosion site, while two of the injured were rushed to hospitals in eastern Kiev, and a third received on-site treatment, according to local officials.
The strikes left residents reeling, with accounts of blasts so strong they shook the ground. A vendor at a nearby market described seeing smoke rise after a deafening detonation. Civilian infrastructure, including power and water networks, sustained damage in parts of the city, compounding the hardship for locals. Despite downing some missiles and drones, Ukraine’s air defenses couldn’t prevent all impacts, revealing the challenge of shielding a metropolis of over three million from such an onslaught.
A Russian attack killed at least 19 people, including nine children, in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih but Russia’s Defence Ministry said it was targeting a military gathering https://t.co/Lmk3zs1QW6 pic.twitter.com/v22RiCJ8oy
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 5, 2025
Poland on high alert
Poland swiftly deployed fighter jets to patrol its border with Ukraine as the Russian missiles flew perilously close to its airspace. The Polish armed forces’ operational command stated the move was a precaution due to the attack’s proximity. Since 2022, when a misfired Ukrainian missile struck Przewodów, killing two, the country has kept a heightened state of readiness, especially during Russian strikes near western Ukraine, like Lviv. No incursions occurred this time, but the response reflects Poland’s wariness as a NATO ally neighboring an active warzone.
Scale of the Russian assault
The sheer volume and diversity of Russia’s weaponry stood out in this barrage. A total of 23 missiles—ballistic and cruise variants—joined 109 drones, many identified as Iranian-designed Shahed models. Ukraine’s air force reported neutralizing 13 missiles and 67 drones, with others veering off course or failing to reach their targets. Launched from locations including the Black Sea and Russian border regions, the attack showcased intricate planning aimed at overwhelming Ukrainian defenses.
Such large-scale aerial campaigns have become a grim hallmark of the war, with their pace quickening in recent months. In 2024 alone, Russia has fired over 1,500 drones and 1,200 missiles at Ukraine, targeting military and civilian sites alike. The tactic appears designed to exhaust air defenses and disrupt daily life, particularly in major hubs like Kiev, Kharkiv, and Odesa, which face near-constant threats.
Kiev, a focal point of Ukrainian resistance and governance, has endured over 20 significant air raids since the conflict began in 2022. This Sunday’s bombardment underscores Russia’s ability to sustain a punishing air campaign, even after years of economic sanctions and battlefield losses.
Key targets and fallout
The assault extended beyond the capital, hitting other Ukrainian regions like Sumy in the northeast and Lviv in the west. In Sumy, a residential strike on November 17 left 11 dead and 89 injured, illustrating the deadly toll on civilians. In Lviv, near Poland, energy facilities were damaged, disrupting power to multiple towns.
In Kiev, the strikes targeted residential zones and possibly critical infrastructure, though full damage assessments are still underway. Fires in at least three districts demanded swift action from emergency responders, who struggled with the scale of destruction. Residents, accustomed to air raid warnings, fled to underground shelters like metro stations as explosions echoed through the night.
Here’s a snapshot of the attack’s toll in Kiev:
- One confirmed death and three injuries so far.
- Fires raging in residential areas like Holosiivskyi and Darnytskiy.
- Damage to civilian buildings and basic infrastructure.
- Heavy engagement by Ukrainian air defense systems.
These effects highlight the severity of the crisis and the human cost of an unrelenting war.
Border tensions in context
Poland’s response to the Russian attack builds on a history of vigilance. Since the war’s onset in February 2022, the country has closely tracked Russian military moves, especially when projectiles near its border. The 2022 Przewodów incident, where a Ukrainian defense missile killed two farmers, underscored the risks, indirectly blaming Russia for sparking the chaos.
Polish F-16s have since taken flight multiple times. In December 2023, a Russian missile briefly crossed Polish airspace for three minutes before retreating, prompting diplomatic protests. Another breach in March 2024 saw a Russian projectile stray 2 km into Poland. These close calls illustrate how Ukraine’s war spills over, testing the resolve of neighboring NATO states.
Sunday’s jet deployment was precautionary but signals Poland’s precarious role. Hosting over 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees and sharing a 535 km border, the country is a vital humanitarian and logistical hub, all while guarding against Russian threats.
Recent war developments
The Kiev attack follows a wave of intense Russian strikes in recent weeks. On March 19, hours after ceasefire talks between Russian and U.S. officials, Russia bombed Slovyansk’s energy grid, plunging parts of the eastern city into darkness. That same day, residential blasts in Kramatorsk showed the conflict’s persistence despite diplomatic overtures.
Just two days prior to this Sunday, Kryvyi Rih suffered a devastating strike that killed 19, including nine children—one of the deadliest civilian attacks in months. Russia claimed it targeted a military meeting, but footage of ruined homes told a different story. Ukraine retaliated, hitting Russian oil depots and military sites in Tula and Kaluga with drones.
Entering its third year, the war has claimed over 10,000 civilian lives and injured 20,000 more in Ukraine, per UN estimates. Both sides escalate with long-range weapons—Russia with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, Ukraine with drones reaching over 1,000 km—fueling a cycle of vengeance that keeps tensions sky-high.
Ukrainian defiance and defense
Facing the onslaught, Ukraine’s military showed grit, downing 13 of the 23 missiles and 67 of the 109 drones. Air defenses, including U.S.-supplied Patriot systems and Soviet-era S-300s, operated at full tilt to protect Kiev and beyond. Residents described hearing secondary blasts from interceptions, a now-familiar sound in the capital.
Civilians, too, displayed resilience. Thousands sheltered in Kiev’s metro and other bunkers, aided by volunteers distributing water and blankets. Despite the terror, a steely resolve persists among Ukrainians enduring near-daily assaults. In 2024, Kiev logged over 50 air alerts in the first quarter alone, up 20% from last year.
Ukraine’s fight isn’t just defensive. Recent months saw ramped-up strikes into Russia, like a March 11 drone attack in Moscow that killed three and shut four airports, proving its reach even under siege.
Global reactions
The international community watches closely as the attack unfolds. Poland’s jet deployment reinforces NATO’s regional vigilance, though the alliance steers clear of direct combat. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg recently called Russia’s strikes “horrific and indiscriminate,” urging more military aid to Ukraine, including air defense systems.
The U.S., Ukraine’s top backer, pushes for tougher sanctions on Russia while pursuing partial ceasefire talks. Yet, this Sunday’s barrage, hot on Kryvyi Rih’s heels, signals Moscow’s defiance, testing Western diplomatic efforts.
Nearby nations like Moldova feel the war’s ripple effects, with Russian drone debris landing on its soil four times since 2022. Romania, another NATO member, has found Shahed wreckage along its Danube coast, heightening regional security fears.
Timeline of recent strikes
The past months mark a surge in aerial clashes between Russia and Ukraine. Key incidents include:
- November 17, 2024: Russian strike in Sumy kills 11, injures 89.
- March 19: Slovyansk energy grid hit, cutting power.
- April 4: Explosions rock Kiev and other cities.
- April 6: 23 missiles and 109 drones target the capital.
This timeline underscores the relentless pace of Russian attacks and Ukraine’s ongoing struggle.
Civilian toll in spotlight
Russia’s strikes leave a trail of ruin in civilian zones, with Kiev’s Sunday ordeal a stark example. Residential buildings crumbled, and sirens mingled with explosion roars painted a scene of panic. Locals reported shattered windows and scarred facades as rescue teams scoured debris for survivors.
Targeting civilians isn’t new. In 2023, Russia hammered Ukraine’s energy grid, plunging millions into winter blackouts. Now, in spring, the focus seems to sap morale, hitting homes and essentials. Over 30 Kiev buildings have been damaged in major raids this year, a tally reflecting the war’s steep price.
Kryvyi Rih’s tragedy two days earlier amplifies this toll. The strike killing 19, including children, stunned Ukraine, renewing calls for global aid. Footage of grieving families and wrecked homes intensified pressure on Western allies for more defenses.
Defense efforts and adaptation
Shielding Kiev from Sunday’s attack was a Herculean task. Ukraine’s air force tracked and downed missiles and drones with a mix of radar and anti-air systems. Of the 109 drones, 67 fell, a solid hit rate, though not enough to stop all damage. The remaining 42 either malfunctioned or were jammed electronically, per military reports.
Kiev’s air defenses, among Ukraine’s strongest, lean on Western gear and rigorous training. Still, the sheer volume of Russian fire strains them, especially in coordinated barrages like this. Since 2022, allies have supplied over 50 anti-air batteries, but ammo restocks and upkeep remain hurdles.
Kiev’s residents have adapted too. Many know their nearest shelters and carry emergency kits with water, food, and flashlights. Schools and hospitals run on backup generators—a lesson from last winter’s outages. This grit sustains Ukraine, though it can’t erase the trauma of nights like this.
Regional ramifications
The attack’s proximity to Poland reignites debate over Eastern Europe’s security. Poland, a NATO base and aid corridor to Ukraine, fears a misstep could draw it into the fray. Sunday’s F-16 scramble was practical but also a political statement of readiness.
Neighbors like Romania and Moldova share the unease. Moldova, outside NATO, has found Russian drone fragments on its land in 2024, while Romania stepped up Black Sea patrols after similar finds. These incidents widen the war’s footprint, unsettling nations striving for neutrality or stability.
NATO backs Ukraine indirectly with arms and intel, avoiding direct clashes with Russia. Sunday’s strike tests this approach, as the alliance weighs responses to Russian missiles nearing its borders.
Aerial conflict highlights
The attack and broader air war offer striking details:
- Russia’s Shahed drones can carry up to 50 kg of explosives.
- Ukraine has downed over 3,000 Russian drones since 2022.
- Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles exceed Mach 10 speeds.
- Kiev boasts over 300 active air raid shelters.
These points showcase the technological and human stakes of a sky turned battlefield.
Looking ahead
As attacks persist, Ukraine bolsters its defenses. Talks for new anti-air systems continue with allies, and domestic drone production jumped 40% in 2024. Russia, meanwhile, upgrades its arsenal, testing missiles like the Oreshnik, used in Dnipro last November, raising the threat level.
Poland plans to beef up its border presence, with NATO drills slated for coming months. The risk of more aerial incidents keeps its forces on edge, while Warsaw pushes for harsher sanctions on Moscow. The war, far from over, keeps reshaping the region with each strike.
