KYIV, Ukraine - Russian missiles and drones struck Kyiv and surrounding regions overnight Saturday, damaging homes, businesses and energy infrastructure and disrupting electricity, water and heating as temperatures neared freezing.
The attack also damaged the Northern Bridge across the Dnipro River, prompting authorities to close it temporarily, Vesti Baku reported.
At least two people were killed and about a dozen were wounded across Ukraine in the overnight attacks, according to Reuters. The Associated Press reported nine people wounded in Kyiv and nearby areas, including a child.
Kyiv authorities reported damage to residential and commercial buildings and a kindergarten. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the strikes hit energy infrastructure in the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions. Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said systems transmitting power from two nuclear plants were seriously damaged.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched 36 ballistic missiles and 172 drones. Ukraine’s air force said four missiles were intercepted and air defenses downed 149 drones.
Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed a large-scale missile and drone strike, saying it targeted military-industrial sites and energy and transport infrastructure supporting Ukrainian forces. The claimed military targets could not be independently verified.
Talks Scheduled for Nov. 10
The attack came three days before representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the United States were due to meet in Abu Dhabi. The Nov. 10 talks are expected to be the fourth round under U.S. mediation. Territorial questions and security guarantees remain unresolved.
Search operations also continued in Komyshuvakha in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, where Russian bombs struck a former school used as a humanitarian aid distribution point and shelter on Nov. 2. Ukraine’s emergency service said the death toll had risen to 55, while dozens remained missing.
Russia has not separately commented on the strike on the humanitarian aid site. Rescuers continued working amid the threat of further attacks.