A massive wave of Russian missile and drone strikes tore through residential areas in Kyiv early Thursday, killing at least 13 people and wounding 86 others. The bombardment, which ripped open multiple apartment buildings and sent thick smoke over the capital’s skyline, came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cut short a diplomatic visit to Dublin based on intelligence reports warning of an imminent, large-scale assault. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia deployed a staggering 496 drones and 74 missiles—including hard-to-intercept ballistic projectiles—of which air defenses successfully shot down 476 drones and 48 missiles.

Following what Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga described as a “night of horror,” Ukrainian officials have urgently renewed their appeal to international allies for accelerated air defense support. The Russian defense ministry confirmed the operation, framing the devastating assault as a retaliatory strike against Ukraine’s recent uptick in long-range drone attacks on Russian energy and military infrastructure. As emergency workers clear the rubble of destroyed apartment blocks, thousands of local residents remain shaken after spending the night huddled in underground metro stations and basements to survive the onslaught.