Russia carried out a large-scale combined drone and missile attack across Ukraine overnight on Feb. 22, killing one person and injuring at least 15 others in the Kyiv region as explosions were reported in multiple cities.
The Ukrainian Air Force said the night initially began relatively calmly before waves of drones entered Ukrainian airspace around 2 am (00:00 UTC), according to RBC-Ukraine. The first were detected over the Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad and Donetsk regions, with their numbers increasing over time.
By approximately 4 am (02:00 UTC), air raid alerts were issued in Kyiv and across roughly half the country as ballistic missiles were launched. Targets were reported approaching from the north and later from the south.
Monitoring channels indicated that Zircon missiles may have been launched from occupied Crimea, though this was not officially confirmed.
At around 4:30 a.m. (02:30 UTC), Russian forces scrambled Mikoyan MiG-31K aircraft, which are capable of carrying Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles. No confirmed launches were reported. Strategic bombers – Tu-95MS and Tu-160 – were also airborne overnight. Monitoring channels suggested launch maneuvers may have taken place around 4:30 a.m., potentially placing cruise missiles over Ukrainian airspace around 6 am.
Kyiv targeted multiple times
Kyiv was among the first cities to come under attack. Between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. (02:00-02:30 UTC), explosions were heard in the capital during ballistic missile launches. Enemy drones were also detected in the Kyiv region.
By 5:12 am (03:12 UTC), explosions were reported in Kyiv for the third time overnight, with Russian forces again attempting a ballistic strike.
One hour later, another series of explosions was heard amid what was described as a cruise missile attack on the capital. The Air Force reported targets flying directly toward Kyiv, while monitoring channels warned that drones were entering simultaneously.
Initial reports indicated that a multi-story residential building in the Sviatoshynskyi district had been damaged, with a fire on the roof.
“At 05:33 [03:33 UTC], as a result of the attack, a residential multi-story building in the Sviatoshynskyi district was damaged. There is a fire on the roof of the building. We are clarifying information about the injured,” Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, wrote on Telegram.
However, around an hour later, Tkachenko posted an update stating: “The information was not confirmed.”
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko later reported that a woman and a child from the capital’s suburbs were hospitalized after being injured. Preliminary information suggested debris had fallen in a private residential area.
Casualties reported in Kyiv region
The head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Mykola Kalashnyk, later reported that one person was killed and 15 others injured as a result of the attack in the Kyiv region.
“Currently, we have confirmed information about 15 injured people, including four children. Unfortunately, one person died from the injuries sustained,” Kalashnyk said in a Telegram update.
He said the largest number of casualties was recorded in the Fastiv district, where rescuers pulled eight people from beneath the rubble of a destroyed building. Seven sustained injuries of varying severity.
“Despite all efforts by doctors, one man died from his injuries,” Kalashnyk said.
Five people were transported to medical facilities, including the deceased man. Four injured individuals remain under treatment. Three are in serious condition, including two undergoing surgery.
Additional injuries were reported in the Boryspil, Vyshhorod, Obukhiv and Bucha districts. Victims suffered shrapnel wounds, lacerations, fractures, smoke inhalation and acute stress reactions.
Rescue services, medics and police continue working at the sites of impact.
Kropyvnytskyi and other regions hit
In Kropyvnytskyi, local media reported at least two explosions around 4 am (02:00 UTC). Shortly before the first blast, the military had reported a high-speed target heading toward the city before changing course toward Kyiv.
At 5:33 am (03:33 UTC), further explosions were heard. Monitoring channels suggested a possible ballistic strike, though no official confirmation was provided.
Explosions were also reported in Mykolaiv at approximately 5:22 am (03:22 UTC), with the cause unclear.
In Poltava, explosions were heard as cruise missiles were reported flying over the region.
Poland scrambles tactical and strategic aircraft
Poland scrambled fighters and strategic aircraft overnight due to Russia’s overnight attack on Ukraine, according to the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces in a post on X.
“Due to the activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation, which is carrying out strikes on the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aircraft have begun operations in our airspace,” the command said.
On-duty fighter pairs and an airborne early warning aircraft were scrambled, while ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance units were placed on heightened alert.
The command described the measures as preventive and aimed at ensuring security in areas adjacent to the Ukrainian border. It added that forces remain ready for immediate response as the situation continues to be monitored.
Pattern of combined strikes
The Feb. 22 attack followed another combined Russian strike on Feb. 17, when drones, ballistic and cruise missiles were also used.
At that time, the primary targets included the Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions and the city of Burshtyn in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.
In Dnipro, enterprises, administrative buildings, residential houses and vehicles were damaged. In Odesa, an infrastructure facility, civilian buildings, a store and a service station were hit, and a high-rise building caught fire. In Burshtyn, Russian forces attempted to strike a thermal power plant.
The full extent of damage and casualties from Saturday night’s strike was still being clarified as of the morning.