Rescuers work on the scene of a building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.
A massive Russian drone attack and missile strike shook Kyiv early Friday, killing six people and injuring at least 35 others. The explosions tore holes in apartment buildings, set fires across residential districts, and sent terrified residents fleeing for safety in the middle of the night. A pregnant woman was among the wounded, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Russia Launches One of Its Largest Attacks in Weeks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched 430 drones and 18 missiles during the night. Most of the assault targeted Kyiv, though Odesa in the south and Kharkiv in the northeast also came under fire.
Zelenskyy called it a “specially calculated attack” designed to inflict maximum harm on civilians. He said drones and missiles slammed into several high-rise buildings across the capital, leaving homes gutted and streets covered in debris.
The Russian drone attack is one of the largest Kyiv has faced in nearly three weeks. Recent strikes have increasingly focused on destroying Ukraine’s power grid before winter.
Moscow Denies Civilian Targets, Ukraine Rejects Claim
Russia insisted its overnight operation targeted “military-industrial and energy facilities.” Ukrainian officials dismissed the statement, saying the repeated destruction of homes and public buildings proves otherwise.
Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine used its American-made Patriot air defense systems, shooting down 14 missiles. But he warned the country urgently needs more air defense units to prevent further devastation.
Global Support Continues as Diplomacy Stalls
Top European defense officials meeting in Berlin reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine. Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal joined the meeting virtually.
Meanwhile, U.S.-led diplomatic efforts this year to end the conflict have made no progress.
The attack also damaged the Azerbaijan Embassy in Kyiv, prompting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to call the incident “unacceptable.”
Odesa Strike Kills Two and Injures a Toddler
In Odesa’s Chornomorsk district, Russian drones hit a busy street on market day. Two people were killed and 11 were injured, including a 19-month-old girl. Regional military chief Oleh Kiper said the strike caused widespread panic as crowds scrambled to escape.
Survivors Describe Terrifying Moments
Residents across Kyiv shared chilling accounts of surviving the Russian drone attack.
“My hair was on fire.”
Mariia Kalchenko said she woke to flames after her building was hit. The wall of her apartment had collapsed, leaving her exposed to the night sky and her neighbor screaming nearby.
Oleh Hudyma, 59, said he was preparing to go to a shelter but did not make it in time. He heard a blast, saw flames, and fell to the floor as debris flew through his kitchen.
Another resident, Iryna Synyavska, lost three neighbors. A father and son died when their ceiling collapsed, while an elderly woman and her visiting daughter were crushed when walls gave way.
Eight of Kyiv’s ten districts reported significant damage. Critical infrastructure in the wider region was also struck.
Ukraine Strikes Back Inside Russia
Ukraine responded to the Russian drone attack by launching its own drones and missiles toward targets inside Russia. Zelenskyy confirmed that domestically modified Neptune missiles were used.
Russia claimed its air defenses shot down 216 Ukrainian drones, including more than 60 over the Krasnodar region and 45 over Saratov. Many were also intercepted over occupied Crimea.
Ukraine Hits Strategic Port of Novorossiysk
A Ukrainian operation struck Russia’s vital Novorossiysk port, damaging oil-loading structures and pipeline infrastructure. The attack sparked a large fire at the Sheskharis transshipment complex.
Falling debris damaged a civilian ship, injuring three crew members. Several residential buildings were also hit.
In the Saratov region, local officials reported damage to “civilian infrastructure,” though reports suggested an oil refinery was targeted.
