Ballistic Missiles Hit Kyiv Hours After Zelensky Warns Russia Is Preparing ‘Massive Strike’

Multiple explosions rocked Kyiv early Wednesday after Ukraine’s military warned that Russian ballistic missiles were heading toward the capital, with damage reported across several districts. A Kyiv Post journalist in the capital reported several strong explosions after the Ukrainian Air Force warned that a ballistic missile was heading toward the city.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The attack came only hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in his nightly address that Ukrainian intelligence had received updated information indicating Russia was preparing a “massive strike.” He urged residents to take missile alerts seriously and said Ukrainian forces were ready to respond “as much as our defenses allow.” Ukraine’s Air Force also warned of ballistic missiles heading toward Zaporizhzhia and other cities, while military monitoring channels anticipated a broader combined attack involving ballistic and cruise missiles as well as fast-moving jet-powered drones. Damage reported across Kyiv Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and the Kyiv City Military Administration reported damage in several districts as the attack unfolded. In the Obolonskyi district, a strike was recorded in an area of non-residential development. In Podilskyi, warehouse facilities were hit and damaged. In Darnytskyi, burning debris fell on an open area. In the Shevchenkivskyi district, another strike hit a non-residential area. Air defenses were operating over the capital as officials repeatedly urged residents to remain in shelters. Other Topics of Interest Zelensky Warns of Massive Russian Strike as 3 Tu-160 Bombers Take Off Ukraine’s Air Force said any cruise missiles launched from the bombers would likely reach Ukrainian airspace after 3 a.m. local time, urging people to stay in shelters. Kyiv under mounting pressure The latest attack comes as Kyiv faces an intensifying Russian air campaign approaching winter. Russia has increasingly targeted Ukraine’s energy and transport infrastructure, including railways, roads and bridges over the Dnipro. The capital has also endured repeated daytime and nighttime drone attacks in recent days, while air raid sirens have sounded for prolonged periods and forced residents into shelters, basements and metro stations. Scheduled power cuts had already plunged parts of Kyiv into darkness Tuesday evening in an effort to reduce strain on the damaged electricity grid. Warning came hours before attack Zelensky said Tuesday evening that Ukrainian intelligence had fresh information about Russian preparations for a large-scale attack. “There is updated intelligence regarding Russia’s preparations for a massive strike,” he said, urging Ukrainians to respond to missile alerts. He also stressed that Ukraine’s ability to repel incoming missiles remained dependent on continued weapons deliveries from allies. The warning was followed later Tuesday by reports that three Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers had taken off from the Belaya air base. Ukraine’s Air Force subsequently issued ballistic missile warnings for Kyiv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia. The latest overnight attack adds to growing pressure on Kyiv’s energy and transport networks as winter approaches, with Ukrainian authorities warning that Moscow is increasingly combining missiles and drones in an effort to overwhelm air defenses. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.