Kyiv rocked by one of Ukraine war’s largest Russian air attacks

| Published June 10, 2025

On the night of June 10, 2025, Ukraine endured one of the fiercest aerial assaults since the full-scale invasion began. A massive barrage of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv and Odesa, including a strike on a maternity ward, underscoring a chilling escalation of Russian bombardment and its impact on citizens’ daily lives.

1. Scope of the Barrage

• Russia launched 315 Shahed‑type drones, along with two KN‑23 ballistic missiles and five Iskander‑K cruise missiles, primarily aimed at Kyiv’s airspace

• The attack lasted approximately five hours, striking across seven of Kyiv’s ten districts

• Ukrainian air defenses intercepted an estimated 277 drones and all seven missiles, though dozens still reached their targets .

2. Material and Structural Damage

• Multiple residential buildings suffered direct hits; fires erupted and shattered windows across Kyiv’s Podil, Obolonskyi, and Shevchenkivskyi districts .

• The UNESCO-listed St. Sophia Cathedral sustained structural damage from shockwaves.

• In Odesa, window damage and facade destruction were confirmed at an emergency medical building and a maternity ward, while at least two staff were evacuated before impact.

3. Casualties and Human Toll

• Authorities reported three civilian fatalities nationwide—one woman in Kyiv and two men in Odesa—with over a dozen others wounded.

• In Kyiv alone, four individuals were hospitalized, with additional reports of injuries and shock among residents .

4. Civilian Response & Emergency Measures

• Kyiv residents sought refuge in underground metro stations, serving as improvised bomb shelters.

• Emergency crews responded promptly to extinguish fires and clear debris from impacted zones .

• In Odesa, maternal staff and patients were evacuated from the maternity ward just before it was hit.

5. Official Statements and Military Context

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Kyiv’s authorities characterized the strike as one of the largest on Kyiv in recent memory, denouncing it as a direct response to Ukraine’s “Operation Spider’s Web”, a drone raid hitting Russian air bases on June 1.

• Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported drone debris falling near schools and homes, alongside fires in key districts.

• Russian authorities maintained the targets were primarily military infrastructure, denying attacks on civilians despite mounting evidence to the contrary.

6. Broader Historical Context

• This assault follows a string of recent large‑scale attacks—just days earlier, on June 6, Russia launched a powerful bombardment across six regions, resulting in at least six deaths and widespread infrastructure damage.

• The use of KN‑23 missiles and Shahed drones has become more frequent in recent months, with previous strikes on Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in July 2024 and an April 2025 missile attack claiming 13 lives in Kyiv.

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Here are the implications of the June 10, 2025 drone and missile attacks on Kyiv and Odesa:

🔹 1. Escalation of Targeting Civilian Infrastructure

The strikes hitting a maternity hospital, residential buildings, and historic landmarks reflect a growing trend in which Russia targets civilian infrastructure. This suggests a strategic intent to instill fear, disrupt normal life, and erode public morale, rather than strictly focusing on military objectives.

🔹 2. Strain on Ukrainian Air Defense Systems

Despite Ukraine intercepting the majority of the drones and missiles, the sheer scale—over 300 drones—demonstrates the intense pressure being placed on its air defense network. Sustained barrages of this size may expose coverage gaps or exhaust defensive resources, particularly in urban centers.

🔹 3. Retaliatory Cycle Intensifying

Ukrainian officials have linked the attack to their “Operation Spider’s Web”—a drone raid deep into Russian territory. This tit-for-tat escalation raises the risk of further retaliatory strikes, increasing the intensity and frequency of cross-border attacks on civilian and military infrastructure alike.

🔹 4. Civilian Fatigue and Humanitarian Fallout

As drone attacks become more frequent, psychological fatigue among the population may deepen. Damage to medical facilities—especially maternity wards—could disrupt access to care for vulnerable groups and signal a humanitarian crisis if such attacks persist.

🔹 5. International Perception and Pressure

The global community, particularly human rights organizations and foreign governments, may view the attack on civilian targets as a war crime. This can increase diplomatic pressure on Russia and amplify calls for more military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

An explosion overnight in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

The aftermath of a Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

An apartment building damaged after the attack on Kyiv

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🔹 Overall Takeaway:

The June 10, 2025, drone and missile assault on Kyiv and Odesa marks a critical moment in the war, showcasing both the scale of Russia’s offensive capabilities and the vulnerabilities of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. Despite effective air defenses intercepting most of the incoming threats, the attack’s reach—striking a maternity hospital and multiple residential districts—highlights a deepening disregard for civilian safety. As both sides escalate retaliatory operations, the human cost continues to rise, with urban populations increasingly bearing the brunt of long-range warfare. The event underscores the urgent need for sustained international attention, support, and solutions to protect noncombatants and stabilize the region.

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SOURCES: SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST – Kyiv rocked by one of Ukraine war’s largest Russian air attacks

REUTERS – Russia launches one of war’s largest air attacks on Kyiv

EGYPT INDEPENDENT – Massive Russian drone attack slams Kyiv and hits maternity hospital in Odesa, Ukrainian officials say

DW – Ukraine updates: Russian drones target Kyiv, Odesa

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