Russia continues its daily air attacks against Ukrainian residential neighborhoods, injuring civilians. In the early hours of 17 June, Russia launched a massive combined air attack on Ukraine, hitting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strike “one of the most terrible attacks on Kyiv” and confirmed that a total of more than 440 drones and 32 missiles were launched overnight. According to him, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv Oblast, Zhytomyr Oblast, Kirovohrad Oblast, Mykolaiv Oblast, and Kyiv Oblast were also targeted. As of 9:30, Kyiv authorities confirmed 14 dead and more than 100 injured. In Odesa, the oblast administration reported 1 person killed and 17 injured in the strike.

Kyiv’s air raid alert began at 21:14 on 16 June and lasted until 6:06 on 17 June. The first explosions occurred at midnight. Initial reports at 2:40 confirmed 16 injuries, mainly in the Solomianskyi district. Later, injuries were also reported in the Dniprovskyi and Darnytskyi districts, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

By 6:54, over 40 people were confirmed injured, more than 30 of them hospitalized. At 9:29, the Kyiv City Military Administration reported 99 confirmed injuries, later updating the number to 104. Of those, 59 were hospitalized. 

Among the dead was a 62-year-old US citizen, who died in the Solomianskyi district. Klitschko stated that the man died “in front of a house where medics were helping other people injured by the shelling.”

In Kyiv, a nine-story residential building was struck in the Solomianskyi district, with an entire section of the building destroyed “down to the basement,” according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Emergency services were still searching the rubble for survivors. 

Infrastructure damage included destroyed buildings in eight districts of the city. The Kyiv Aviation Institute reported that its dormitory No. 10 was hit by a drone. Three other dormitories suffered shattered windows from the blast wave. A kindergarten was damaged in the Darnytskyi district. Public transport was affected, with tram routes No. 15 and 22 halted and traffic blocked on Boryspilska Street, according to the Kyiv City State Administration.

This was one of the most extensive Russian air assaults on Kyiv in recent months. The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that Russia used 175 drones, over 14 cruise missiles, and at least two ballistic missiles, deliberately targeting civilian housing in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy: ‘This is pure terrorism’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that “such attacks are pure terrorism” and urged the international community to respond accordingly.

“Russia destroyed an entire section of a residential building. Buildings in eight districts of Kyiv were damaged. Work continues at all impact sites. All victims are receiving the necessary help. At this time, 15 people are reported dead. My condolences to the families and loved ones,” he posted.

He continued:

“Putin does this only because he can afford to continue the war. He wants war to continue. It is bad when the powerful of this world turn a blind eye to this. We are in contact with all partners at all possible levels so there is a proper response. These terrorists must feel pain, not peaceful, normal people.”

Strikes on Odesa and Zaporizhzhia

In Odesa, 17 people were injured, and one woman was killed. According to Odesa Oblast Military Administration official Oleksandr Kharlov, a 60-year-old woman was missing after failing to respond to the air raid alert. Later reports confirmed that her body was found under the rubble. Kharlov also said another person was being searched for at a different location.

Among the injured were a pregnant woman and a 17-year-old girl. One person was hospitalized; others were treated on an outpatient basis. Damage in the city included residential buildings, an inclusive education center, a preschool, and private garages.

In Zaporizhzhia, a missile damaged a multi-story apartment building and a dormitory. Regional head Ivan Fedorov reported that over 50 apartments had windows blown out by the blast wave. No casualties were reported.