Russian missiles strike Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, injure three

Russian missiles struck Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia early Tuesday, setting fires in the Ukrainian capital and damaging buildings in the southeastern city, officials said. At least three people were injured. The strikes mark one of the most intense attacks on Kyiv in months, coming after weeks of relative calm in the capital.

The timing follows Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive in the south, which pushed Russian forces back from key positions near Kherson and Kharkiv. Analysts say Moscow has intensified missile strikes in response, aiming to disrupt Ukrainian morale and infrastructure. Power grids, water supplies, and residential areas have been targeted before, but Kyiv—despite its symbolic importance—has seen fewer direct hits recently. Tuesday’s attack suggests Russia is escalating pressure as Ukraine prepares for winter and a potential new phase of fighting.

The strikes damaged a residential building in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, igniting a fire that firefighters struggled to contain amid ongoing blackouts. In Zaporizhzhia, a missile hit a government building, wounding at least three people and leaving a crater in a central square. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted some projectiles, but several hit their targets, according to military spokespeople. Social media videos showed thick smoke rising over the capital, while air raid sirens blared for nearly an hour.

Officials warn that more attacks are likely as Russia seeks to weaken Ukraine’s resistance ahead of the cold months. The strikes also coincide with rising tensions over stalled peace talks and Western aid delays. Ukraine’s energy minister said Tuesday that repairs to damaged infrastructure would take days, raising concerns about heating shortages this winter. The international community has condemned the attacks, but Russia shows no signs of slowing its campaign. For Kyiv residents, the strikes bring back memories of last year’s brutal winter, when prolonged blackouts and freezing temperatures tested both infrastructure and spirit. The question now is whether Ukraine can hold its ground—or if this is the start of a longer, darker season.