Explosions rocked Kyiv early on April 16 as Russian ballistic missiles targeted the city. The Ukrainian Air Force had earlier warned of drone groups approaching from the north.
At 2:35 AM, Oleksandr Tkachenko, a government official, urged residents to seek shelter, stating, “The enemy is attacking the capital with missiles. Stay in shelters until the all-clear is given!” Shortly after, Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the explosions and reported the activation of air defense systems, reiterating the call for citizens to remain in safe locations.
In a Telegram update at 1:49 AM, the Air Force reported drone formations moving westward toward Kyiv. By 2:30 AM, alerts indicated the imminent threat of ballistic missile strikes, with subsequent updates noting fast-moving targets approaching from the north.
Updated at 2:47 AM
Klitschko later announced that medical teams had been dispatched to the Shevchenkivskyi district of the capital.
Updated at 2:51 AM
The head of the Kyiv City Military Administration reported damage from the strikes in the Podilskyi and Obolonskyi districts. In Obolonskyi, there were confirmed injuries, while in Podilskyi, a residential building caught fire on the first floor due to the attack.
Earlier, on the evening of April 15, Russian forces launched drone strikes across Ukraine, with some targeting Odesa. Tragically, one drone hit a multi-story residential building.
In Dnipro, two young boys, aged three and one-and-a-half, were injured in the evening strike, with the total number of casualties later rising to three, including a 38-year-old woman who was hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces conducted a combined attack on April 15 between 9 PM and 10 PM, deploying over 20 missiles and 349 drones. Twelve impacts were recorded, alongside debris from intercepted targets.
Kyiv faced missile strikes from Russia early on April 16, prompting urgent warnings for residents to seek shelter. The attacks followed a series of drone assaults across Ukraine, resulting in injuries and property damage.