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The strike caused shells, mines and drones to detonate late on Friday, triggering a blast that damaged nearby properties including a care home for the elderly and disabled, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukraine has suspended elections under martial law, a measure still widely supported by the population as the country focuses on fighting off the Russian invasion launched in 2022.
The overnight attacks damaged apartment blocks, warehouses and industrial facilities, while a children's hospital was also affected. Emergency teams were searching through rubble for survivors, with two people rescued from damaged buildings
Earlier this week, Zelenskyy met Trump and later said the US leader had agreed to license the production of Patriot missiles in Ukraine. However, Trump later told reporters that no such agreement had been reached.
The latest bombardment highlights a dual challenge for Ukraine in its fifth year of war. It is facing intensifying Russian missile attacks alongside rare domestic political instability triggered by a sudden wartime shakeup of its defence leadership.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was the main target, but other areas were also hit, with at least 83 people injured.
The announcement from Moscow follows repeated appeals by President Volodymyr Zelensky for a ceasefire, which had previously gone unanswered by the Kremlin. The latest declaration is likely to be met with suspicion in Ukraine, especially given past experiences with similar pauses.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was deliberately using the severe cold as part of its war approach, accusing Moscow of taking advantage of winter to deepen suffering. Overnight temperatures in Kyiv have recently dropped to around -20C, making the loss of heating, power and water even more dangerous for households.
The Russian offensive targeted Kyiv’s civilian and energy infrastructure, with President Volodymyr Zelensky reporting almost 500 drones and 40 missiles aimed at the capital.
Zelensky’s remarks followed his meeting with senior US military officials in Kyiv, including US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, army chief of staff Gen Randy George and top commander in Europe Gen Chris Donahue. Though he did not endorse the draft, Zelensky said he “appreciated the efforts of President Trump and his team to return security to Europe,” signaling a desire to keep communication open with Washington even while raising concerns.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed that twelve people were injured in the city. In Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, a seven-year-old boy was killed and seven others were hurt. Central Cherkasy reported ten injuries from the attacks.
PS Sing’Oei said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Kenyan Mission in Moscow, is already handling the matter following reports by the BBC that one Kenyan had been captured.