Cluster Munitions, Drones and Ballistic Missiles: Russia Launches One of Its Largest Strikes on Kyiv

Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Kyiv overnight, deploying more than 400 drones and 32 cruise and ballistic missiles in a coordinated strike that caused extensive damage and civilian casualties.

The Air Force Command of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported that the strike was launched at 8:00 p.m. on June 16 and involved unmanned systems, naval forces, and tactical and strategic aviation units.

The attack originated from various regions of Russia and the Black Sea.

In total, Ukrainian forces detected 440 launches of attack drones and decoy UAVs. Of those, 239 Shahed drones were downed by air defenses, while another 163 were lost or neutralized by electronic warfare systems.

Russian tactical aviation launched nine Kh-59/69 missiles and one Kh-31P anti-radiation missile, all of which were intercepted. Two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles were fired by MiG-31K aircraft; one was intercepted.

Naval and strategic aviation launched four Kalibr cruise missiles and 16 Kh-101 missiles. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 15 Kh-101s, while one struck the capital. The missile, reportedly carrying a cluster warhead, released submunitions over residential areas.

Residential buildings in eight districts of Kyiv sustained damage, with one apartment block partially destroyed.

Emergency services are working to extract survivors trapped under debris.

As of 10:00 a.m., Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported at least 14 people killed and 60 injured. Emergency responders rescued at least 12 people from damaged buildings.

Elsewhere, Russia also targeted the Odesa, Zaporizhia, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv regions. One person was killed and 10 were injured in Odesa. One person was reported injured in the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions.