Russia launches major ballistic missile attack on Kyiv

Russia fired around 40 ballistic missiles at Kyiv in the early hours of Sunday, July 19, 2026. The attack began at about 1:30 a.m. and explosions continued for roughly five hours. Ukrainian air defences shot down 18 missiles and more than 100 drones. At least one person died and up to 13 were injured. Fires started in five parts of the city. Apartment blocks, offices, a student dormitory, a metro station, and several vehicles were damaged. A second wave of strikes hit the city at 6:30 a.m. Officials have described the attack as one of the largest Russian ballistic missile strikes on the capital. Russia and Ukraine have been at war for several years, with Russia repeatedly targeting Ukrainian cities from the air.