Russia Launches Major Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv, Casualties Rise

A significant missile and drone attack by Russia on March 17, 2025, resulted in at least four fatalities in Kyiv, marking the city’s heaviest bombardment since a similar assault in February, which claimed 21 lives. The Ukrainian capital endured a series of strikes that targeted civilian areas, including residential buildings and a children’s nursery, leading to injuries for at least ten others, as reported by Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Administration.

The attacks commenced overnight and persisted into the morning, with black smoke visible rising from numerous locations across the city. Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, confirmed damage at over 20 sites, including a medical facility. The impact was palpable at the central train station, where passengers, predominantly women, sheltered from the ongoing air raid alerts. One woman remarked, “The sky has turned black again. It’s happening a lot.”

At a multistorey residential building that suffered severe damage, emergency services were deployed to clear the debris. The scene depicted shattered windows, with residents visibly shaken as they gathered outside. The assault involved “hundreds of drones and missiles,” according to Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, who emphasized the need to increase repercussions for Russia’s military actions via a post on X.

The Russian government has not yet commented on the latest strikes. However, the bombardment has prompted military responses from neighboring Poland, which reported the deployment of fighter jets as a precautionary measure. This response follows a series of incidents, including Russian drones landing in Poland and fighter aircraft breaching Estonian airspace, raising international concerns about the escalation of the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.

The recent attacks occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced a “mega deal” for arms purchases from the United States, which includes significant arms agreements and a separate deal for Ukrainian-made drones. Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted 41 Ukrainian drones during the same timeframe.

As the situation unfolds, the ramifications of these assaults extend beyond immediate casualties, intensifying diplomatic tensions and military readiness across Europe.