Rubble and torched cars litter streets of Kyiv after Russia fired one of largest ballistic missile attacks of war

By OLIVIA DAY, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA Published: 19:52, 19 July 2026 | Updated: 19:54, 19 July 2026 The scale of the destruction left by one of Russia's largest ballistic missile attack on Kyiv since the start of the war has been revealed after over five hours of strikes. Ukrainian officials said at least six people were killed and dozens more injured after several districts were hit by more than 40 ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Russia launched 41 missiles and 125 drones overnight, most of which were directed at Kyiv, according to Ukraine's air force. Ukrainian officials have described the barrage as one of the largest missile attacks on the capital since Russia's full-scale invasion began more than four years ago. Residents woke to air raid sirens at 1.30am before a series of explosions echoed across the city as dozens of missiles arrived in less than an hour. Many spent the night sheltering in corridors, basements and underground stations as successive waves of missiles approached the city. Kyiv resident Ganna Zagorodnia told AFP: 'The missiles just kept coming one after another, the explosions were powerful, it was horrible.  'I thought that life was just about to end.' Residents are seen surveying the damage at the site of a Russian missile strike in Kyiv Firefighters fought fires across several districts in Kyiv during the missile attack Ukrainian officials said at least six people were killed and dozens more injured The strikes wreaked havoc in several districts of Kyiv, where residential buildings, industrial facilities, offices and vehicles were hit or damaged by debris.  Footage from the aftermath of the attacks showed shattered windows, damaged facades and debris strewn across the streets.  Large craters were also visible near damaged buildings as emergency crews worked through the morning to clear debris and secure affected areas. Authorities said falling missile and drone debris also damaged parked vehicles and surrounding buildings in a number of neighbourhoods. In some areas, residents emerged from shelters to find roads blocked by rubble and emergency vehicles. A high-rise building in the Shevchenkivskyi district caught fire and was evacuated before emergency crews later recovered a body. By Sunday morning, firefighters remained at several locations across Kyiv, extinguishing hotspots and assisting those whose homes had been damaged.  Local authorities are still assessing the full extent of the destruction, with debris removal operations continuing throughout Sunday.  By Sunday morning, firefighters remained at several locations across Kyiv, extinguishing hotspots and assisting those whose homes had been damaged A burnt-out car is seen after Kyiv was targeted for over five hours overnight on Saturday Locals are seen inspecting the site of a Russian missile strike in Kyiv Despite the scale of the attack, Ukraine said its air defences destroyed or suppressed a number of incoming missiles and drones before they could reach their targets. However, officials have repeatedly warned that existing air defence systems are being stretched by the scale and frequency of the attacks. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Sunday that most of the missiles launched overnight were directed at Kyiv.  He renewed calls for stronger air defences, saying: 'Protection against ballistic missiles is our constant and top priority right now.' Western-supplied air defence systems, particularly Patriot batteries, are regarded as the most effective protection against Russian ballistic missiles. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has also called on Kyiv's allies to increase pressure on Moscow and strengthen Ukraine's air defence capabilities.  'Russia unleashed the largest number of ballistic missiles since the start of the war, around four dozen, in a brutal terrorist attack on the Ukrainian capital, killing and injuring people,' he wrote in a statement on X.  'We urge appropriate and strong responses. We need devastating pressure on Moscow to end this terror.' There have also been attacks on Russia in recent days.  President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) confirmed on Sunday that most of the missiles launched overnight were directed at Kyiv Emergency services are seen conducting rescue operations at an affected site Rubble lies in an underpass destroyed by Russian missiles On Saturday, Ukrainian drones struck a major Wildberries logistics hub, often dubbed the 'Russian Amazon', sending plumes of smoke into the air. In Tambov, seven people were killed and more than two dozen wounded in a strike on another warehouse complex owned by the online marketplace. A key oil hub depot in Noginsk also exploded in flames after an attack, leading to the evacuation of a nearby maternity hospital.  The two hits on Russia's largest online retailer are part of Ukraine's campaign to make Vladimir Putin's citizens feel the consequences of the war he unleashed and refuses to stop, and are set to cause major disruption.  Analysts say it is also in response to Russian strikes on postal hubs in Ukraine.