27 die, 100 injured after Russia launches 'massive' attack on Kyiv; Ukraine vows retaliation

The death toll from Russia's "massive" attack on Ukraine has risen to 27, with more than 100 people injured in the capital city of Kyiv, officials have said.

Russia launched a barrage of drone and missile attacks overnight on Wednesday, with Kyiv reporting multiple explosions. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine has said that Russia targeted Kyiv in the latest round of attacks.

Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko has called the attacks "massive", while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said first responders in the capital were "clearing the rubble, searching for people, and providing assistance."

"Damage has been reported at more than 20 sites across the city, most of them ordinary residential buildings. There was also damage to an ambulance station, a research institute, a hotel, and businesses," he added.

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Ukraine, Russia vow escalation

Ukraine and Russia on Thursday vowed fresh assaults in their over-four-year war after Moscow launched a massive barrage on Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said his forces would "definitely" retaliate for the overnight pummelling as he inspected an apartment block that was partially destroyed.

The European Union's top diplomat proposed new sanctions on Moscow, as Zelenskyy pressed the United States for licences to manufacture Patriot air-defence missiles.

But the Kremlin vowed to further ramp up "pressure" on Kyiv, sticking to its no-compromise rhetoric.

Zelenskyy cuts short foreign visit

The assault took place just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky abruptly ended his trip to Dublin on Wednesday, following intelligence warnings that Russia was likely to launch a major offensive.

According to Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin had been planning the large-scale attack for an extended period.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified its campaign of long-range drone operations inside Russian territory, focusing on military installations and key energy facilities.

Russian authorities, meanwhile, have reported frequent Ukrainian drone incursions in regions bordering Ukraine, while Moscow claims its air defence systems have destroyed hundreds of incoming drones over the past several days.

With inputs from agencies