UPDATE - Ukraine says 2 killed, 25 injured in overnight Russian airstrike on Kyiv

REVISES HEADLINE, DECK AND LEDE; UPDATES WITH LATEST CASUALTY COUNT & RUSSIAN STATEMENT

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian officials said on Thursday that at least two people were killed and 25 others injured in a Russian airstrike on the capital Kyiv.

“Sadly, two people were reported killed in Kyiv — my condolences to their families and loved ones,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement on X.

Zelenskyy claimed that 18 missiles, including ballistic ones, as well as around 400 attack drones were used in the attack that also targeted other regions.

He defined the Russian attack as a “clear escalation of terror,” reiterating Kyiv’s call for stronger and quicker sanctions on Moscow.

“There’s a need for quicker action from our partners in investing in weapons production and advancing technology,” Zelenskyy said, adding that he will be speaking to Ukraine’s partners later in the day on additional funding for interceptor drone production and supply of air defense systems for his country.

Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said six districts of the capital were affected by the attack, which he said targeted infrastructure, including residential and non-residential buildings.

He later reported that the number of injured, which initially stood at three, rose to 25 as of 5.45 p.m. local time (1445GMT).

Ukraine’s Air Force later claimed that the country’s air defenses shot down 164 out of 397 drones and 14 out of 18 missiles launched by Russia during the overnight attack.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said it launched a group strike on enterprises belonging to Ukraine's military-industrial complex in Kyiv, as well as a military airfield.

"The strike's goal was achieved. All designated objects were hit," the statement added.