Russia Strikes Kyiv Overnight: 4 Dead, 6,000 Buildings Without Heat, Residents Urged to Leave

Russia launched a massive, combined aerial assault on Ukraine overnight on Friday, Jan. 9, firing waves of attack drones and ballistic missiles – most of them aimed at the capital, Kyiv.

At least four people were killed and 24 injured in the assault, including emergency responders, after Russian strikes hit residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure.

A paramedic was among the dead after a residential building he was attending was hit a second time.

Twenty residential buildings in Kyiv and its suburbs were damaged, and the Embassy of Qatar was hit by a Russian drone, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday.

Energy infrastructure and heating crisis

Emergency services reported widespread outages, with heating and water disruptions affecting almost all city districts.

The strikes came as temperatures in Kyiv plunged below –9°C (16°F) overnight, sharply increasing the risk to civilians left without heat or power in midwinter.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported damage at least in four districts – mostly on the left bank of the city – where drone debris and missile fragments struck high-rise apartment blocks, private homes, a kindergarten, vehicles, and infrastructure facilities.

He urged residents to temporarily leave the city to find warmth, as Russian strikes left half of the capital’s apartment buildings – nearly 6,000 – without heat.

“Half of Kyiv’s apartment buildings are currently without heat due to damage to the capital’s critical infrastructure caused by a massive enemy attack,” Klitschko said on social media.

Other Topics of Interest

Italy, France Reject EU Proposal to Ban Ex-Russian Soldiers

Italy and France are hesitant about the EU proposal to ban former Russian combatants from entering the bloc, fearing it could lead to a blanket ban on Russian citizens.

“I also appeal to residents of the capital who have the opportunity to temporarily leave the city for places with alternative sources of power and heat to do so.”

According to OSINT analysts, the strike was conducted in two phases: residential areas were hit first with drones, followed by attacks on the city’s energy infrastructure.

Energy provider DTEK said emergency power cuts were implemented on the left bank of Kyiv, while scheduled blackouts continued on the right bank.

“Crews are working to restore electricity and heat as quickly as possible, prioritizing hospitals and other critical infrastructure,” the company said.

Rescuers hit in follow-up strike

One paramedic was killed in a double-tap strike while responding to victims in a residential building, and several members of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, along with three other medics, were injured when Russian forces launched a secondary attack during rescue operations in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district.

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia’s overnight strike involved 36 missiles and 242 drones, including Shahed and Gerbera models, plus ballistic and cruise missiles from multiple directions. Air defenses intercepted 244 targets, but 18 missiles and 16 drones still struck 19 locations in Kyiv and nearby areas.

Transport disrupted

Public transport across Kyiv was disrupted by power outages. Trains on the Kyiv Metro’s Red Line were partially suspended, trolleybus routes were delayed, and buses were deployed on the left bank to replace electric transport.

With freezing temperatures forecast to persist, Ukrainian officials warned that continued attacks on energy infrastructure could quickly escalate into a humanitarian emergency if heat and electricity are not fully restored.

Russia claims use of “Oreshnik” missile in strike on Lviv region

Russia also claimed it used an Oreshnik missile during the overnight assault. In a Telegram statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense said the strike was retaliation for an alleged “terrorist attack” on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia’s Novgorod region.

Explosions were reported overnight in Lviv, with local officials confirming a hit on critical infrastructure. Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed the type of weapon used.