Russian forces launched multiple drone and missile strikes on Kyiv overnight, killing at least five people, Ukraine’s emergency services reported Friday. The overnight assaults followed a rare daytime attack earlier in the day that killed six people, according to Ukrainian officials. Civilian infrastructure and residential neighborhoods bore the brunt of the latest strikes, which began around midnight local time and continued for several hours.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks in a late-night statement, calling them an attempt to terrorize the capital. “The occupiers are trying to break our will with constant strikes,” Zelenskyy said in a video address. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 18 cruise missiles and 15 drones during the overnight raids, though some projectiles struck their targets.

Kyiv targets civilian areas in latest wave

The strikes hit several districts, including Obolon, a residential area in northern Kyiv, and Sviatoshyn, where a multi-story apartment building sustained heavy damage. Emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish fires and recover victims from the rubble. At least two children were among the dead, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service confirmed.

Ukraine’s military said the overnight attacks included Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from Russian bombers and Iranian-made Shahed drones. The daytime attack earlier featured a mix of ballistic missiles and drones, marking a shift in Russia’s tactics. Military analysts noted the increased use of drones in recent weeks, which are harder to intercept than traditional missiles.

International response to escalating strikes

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks in a statement Thursday, calling them “unacceptable violations of international law.” The European Union reiterated its support for Ukraine, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urging immediate de-escalation. Russia has not commented publicly on the strikes, which come as its forces continue to make slow gains in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian air defenses remain on high alert as Russian forces show no signs of reducing the intensity of their strikes. The overnight attacks follow a pattern of increasing Russian offensives targeting energy infrastructure and civilian areas ahead of winter. Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to remain in bomb shelters until authorities confirm the all-clear.

The escalation underscores the growing strain on Ukraine’s air defense systems, which have struggled to intercept all incoming threats. Analysts warn the attacks could intensify as winter approaches, with Russia aiming to weaken civilian morale and disrupt critical infrastructure. Ukraine has called for faster delivery of advanced air defense systems from Western allies to counter the sustained assaults.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Euronews
  • Published: May 14, 2026 at 04:30 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #euronews · #europe · #world-news · #war · #weapons · #military

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 14, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Um novo capítulo de horror se desenha na guerra na Ucrânia após uma onda de ataques russos que deixou pelo menos cinco mortos em Kiev durante a madrugada, apenas horas depois de um bombardeio diurno raro ter ceifado outras seis vidas na mesma cidade. A escalada da violência, que marca um dos dias mais sangrentos na capital ucraniana desde o início da invasão, expõe a fragilidade dos esforços de contenção e a crescente ousadia do Kremlin em atingir alvos civis mesmo em áreas consideradas mais protegidas.

A sucessão de ataques, ocorrida em um intervalo de poucas horas, não apenas derruba a narrativa russa de “operações cirúrgicas” contra infraestrutura militar, mas também joga luz sobre a estratégia de intimidação do presidente Vladimir Putin. Para o Brasil, que mantém uma posição de neutralidade formal mas observa com preocupação os desdobramentos geopolíticos, o recrudescimento do conflito reforça a necessidade de discutir o papel de nações como a nossa na mediação humanitária ou no apoio a refugiados. Além disso, o episódio serve como alerta para a América Latina, região cada vez mais pressionada a se posicionar frente a crises que transcendem fronteiras.

Os próximos passos dependerão da reação internacional, especialmente da Europa e dos EUA, que precisam decidir se endurecem sanções ou buscam novas vias diplomáticas — enquanto Kiev, mais uma vez, acorda entre escombros e luto.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

Los bombardeos rusos contra Kiev han dejado una estela de destrucción en menos de 24 horas, con al menos cinco muertos en un ataque nocturno tras otro inusual durante el día que ya había causado seis víctimas. La capital ucraniana, acostumbrada a los raids nocturnos, afronta ahora una nueva táctica que intensifica la presión sobre la población civil.

La secuencia de ataques evidencia un recrudecimiento de la ofensiva rusa, que combina estrategias de desgaste con oleadas sorpresivas para desestabilizar la moral y la infraestructura energética de Ucrania. Para los hispanohablantes, este escenario refuerza la urgencia de mantener la atención sobre el conflicto más allá de Europa, recordando que las consecuencias humanitarias y geopolíticas trascienden fronteras. La precariedad de los civiles en Kiev subraya además la necesidad de apoyo internacional, en un momento en que la fatiga bélica podría erosionar el respaldo occidental a Ucrania.