Russian ballistic missiles killed at least 12 people and injured more than 30 in Kyiv early Thursday, damaging residential buildings and disrupting electricity supplies across parts of the Ukrainian capital.

A fire broke out in the Solomianskyi district, where the upper floors of a nine-storey residential building were destroyed. Seven people died at the site, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Klitschko called for Friday to be observed as a day of mourning.

Kyiv hit by heavy overnight strikes

Two other districts in the capital also suffered damage. Non-residential buildings, warehouses, a school and a children’s hospital were among the facilities affected.

Ukraine’s emergency services released footage showing rescuers fighting fires and helping residents escape damaged buildings.

A Reuters witness reported hearing more than a dozen explosions across Kyiv during the attack.

Officials said another person was killed in the wider Kyiv region.

Thousands left without electricity

The strikes also damaged the capital’s power infrastructure.

Energy company DTEK said about 90,000 homes lost electricity following the attack. The company later restored power to more than half of the affected households.

The disruption added further pressure on Ukraine’s energy system as Russia continues to target critical infrastructure.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces attacked Kyiv and the surrounding region with missiles and drones. Moscow claimed the strikes hit facilities producing drone components, a military depot and a logistics hub.

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Russia intensifies missile attacks

Russia has increased its air attacks on Ukraine in recent months, seeking to exploit Kyiv’s shortage of air-defence interceptors, particularly those needed to counter ballistic missiles.

Ukraine has also intensified attacks inside Russia, targeting oil facilities and logistics infrastructure that support Moscow’s war effort.

The latest strikes come as diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire remain stalled. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Drone incidents reported in neighbouring countries

The Russian attack also triggered security concerns beyond Ukraine.

Romania’s Defence Ministry said a drone crashed inside its territory during the Russian attack. Romania is a NATO and European Union member.

Moldova’s military also reported that a drone crossed its airspace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly called on Western countries to provide additional interceptor missiles to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences.

Zelenskiy said earlier this month that Kyiv had submitted proposals to US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for a possible plan to end the war.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow had not received specific proposals for new meetings with US negotiators. She added that Russia remained ready to arrange talks at short notice.