Russian strikes hit Kyiv energy sites, killing at least nine across Ukraine

Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight, killing at least nine people and damaging energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials said the capital was hit in three waves. Early reports said 16 ballistic missiles and more than 200 drones were used, while later official accounts said 21 ballistic missiles hit Kyiv and the surrounding region. Rescue workers searched a damaged high-rise apartment block where at least two people died and 21 were injured. The death toll later rose, with seven more deaths reported outside the capital and more than 30 people injured in Kyiv.

The attacks hit homes, a retail park, a shopping centre, a metro station, a medical clinic, a school, a water filtration centre and power facilities. A bridge over the Dnipro was damaged, disrupting metro services and traffic. More than 600,000 people were left without power, and many also lost water and heating. Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said a medical centre was hit and six ambulances were damaged. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the main target was energy infrastructure and that Russia had breached an energy ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump.

Zelensky said Ukraine received no early warning from partners for a second day. He wrote that there was 'once again, no early warning from our partners'. Trump denied that the US had stopped sharing intelligence. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later said: 'There's been no pause.' Ukrainian officials disputed that, saying sirens sounded only as missiles arrived. Reports also said Starlink and Starshield services were restricted for devices moving faster than 100 mph, affecting long-range drone missions. Zelensky later said intelligence had been restored and there was an agreement to restore Starshield to full speed, but officials said problems remained.

The strikes came hours after Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg and said Russia was ready in principle to resume US-mediated talks. Trump said the US was 'maybe close to a deal'. Zelensky called the attack 'demonstrative' and referred sarcastically to 'Russian humanitarians', a reference to Witkoff praising Putin as a humanitarian. Downing Street said it did not recognise that description. Ukrainian officials and analysts said the strikes showed Russia was not serious about peace. Ukraine launched hundreds of drones at Russian targets, and Russia said it shot down more than 800.

Zelensky was due in London for talks with Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The UK said it would accelerate delivery of air-defence missiles and draw up further sanctions. The visit came as Washington faced criticism over easing sanctions on Russian diesel and over reports that Patriot interceptor missiles already paid for by European allies were being held up. In Poland, authorities reopened Cold War bunkers and sent air-attack warnings. Experts said Ukraine's air defences remain exposed and that a ceasefire or talks were unlikely soon.