Russian massive missile attack on Kyiv, other cities in Ukraine, killed at least 41 civilians and injureed 149 others

On the morning of July 8, Russia launched a large-scale missile attack on Kyiv and several other cities across Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least 41 civilians and injuries to 149 others. The attack targeted multiple urban areas, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Sloviansk, Pokrovsk, and Kramatorsk, damaging 50 civilian sites such as residential buildings, a business center, and two medical facilities, according to the State Emergency Service.

In Kyiv alone, the assault killed at least 27 people, including three children, and injured 82, as reported by Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. Missile debris fell in several districts of Kyiv, causing damage and fires, particularly in the Desnianskyi and Dniprovskyi districts. The city's largest children's hospital, Okhmatdyt, was hit, causing significant damage.

Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih, located in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, suffered heavily, with 11 fatalities and 62 injuries. In the Donetsk Oblast city of Pokrovsk, three people were killed, and three others were injured in a Russian strike.

More than 10 explosions were reported in Kyiv, with active air defense in the suburbs. Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, confirmed that debris fell in multiple districts and that buildings were damaged across the city. Rescue operations were underway, particularly in the Schevchenkyvskyi district, where a residential building was hit, leading to people being trapped under the rubble.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, reported that three of its transformer substations were destroyed or damaged. However, other energy infrastructure remained intact.

Witnesses described the chaos, including Vadym Trush, a vendor at the Lukianivska metro station, where projectiles hit nearby areas. He recounted how he and 30-40 others took shelter underground during the strikes.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, highlighting the extensive damage and loss of life, and reaffirmed Ukraine's resolve to protect its citizens and infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict.

On July 8, a separate attack on Kyiv resulted in debris hitting the Isida maternity hospital, killing seven people and injuring three, as reported by the State Emergency Service. Earlier that day, the Air Force successfully downed three out of four cruise missiles over Zhytomyr and Cherkasy oblasts, with no reported casualties or damage.

These attacks coincided with the eve of the NATO summit in Washington, where Ukraine is seeking long-term aid commitments from its allies. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for global determination to end Russian strikes, stating on X, "Killing is what [Vladimir] Putin brings. Only together can we bring real peace and security."

The July 8 assault has been one of the deadliest in recent months, with casualty figures comparable to the massive strikes carried out by Russia during the winter. While Russian forces launched several large-scale attacks in the spring, these were primarily aimed at energy infrastructure. The recent attacks mark a shift back to targeting civilian areas and critical facilities, causing significant loss of life and widespread damage.

Wreckage fell on ADONIS medical centre in Kyiv, killing 5 doctors and 2 patients

In the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv, missile wreckage struck the ADONIS medical center, resulting in the deaths of seven people—five doctors and two patients—according to a report by ADONIS to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. The same missile strike also damaged the building housing the Isida private maternity hospital, which shares the location with the ADONIS center. While the strike shattered windows at the Isida hospital, there were no casualties reported from this facility.