A barrage of Russian ballistic missiles and drones struck Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight Wednesday, killing at least 17 people and injuring 44, Ukrainian officials reported.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the casualties could have been avoided if Ukraine had received more advanced anti-missile interceptors from its international partners. The attack, which began after midnight, hit residential buildings, a railway station, and warehouses, according to Zelensky.

Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles and four anti-ship missiles targeting the capital, alongside 115 drones. Air defense systems managed to intercept 98 of the drones but did not report intercepting any of the ballistic missiles in this specific attack. Zelensky emphasized that delays in acquiring anti-ballistic systems from allies result in "horrific casualties and destruction."

The Russian defense ministry claimed its forces struck logistics hubs and supply centers in and around Kyiv, which it alleged were involved in storing and delivering weapons, military supplies, and in the production and distribution of drones. The ministry also stated it hit three cargo vessels near Odesa carrying weapons and military equipment.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko indicated that there were concerns about individuals potentially trapped under rubble following the strikes. The intensity of the attack has led to renewed calls from Ukraine for increased military aid, particularly advanced air defense systems like the US-made Patriot.

This attack marks one of the deadliest on Kyiv this year and comes amid an escalation of hostilities. Russia has intensified its strikes on the Ukrainian capital in recent weeks. Simultaneously, Ukraine has increased its own drone attacks targeting Russian civilian infrastructure, including power facilities and warehouses.

In Russia, the governor of the Tula region, Dmitry Milyaev, reported that a drone crashed into a Wildberries e-commerce warehouse overnight, causing a fire. One person was injured, but no fatalities were reported, and the facility was evacuated. Ukraine has previously targeted warehouses, including those operated by Wildberries, with past strikes in the Moscow region and Krasnodar region resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.

Both sides have repeatedly denied deliberately targeting civilians, despite incidents that have drawn international condemnation. Ukraine recently expressed outrage over a video appearing to show a civilian being targeted by a drone in Kherson, which it described as a deliberate hunt.