Video: Massive fire at Kyiv building as Russia pounds Ukraine with 39 missiles

Russian missiles and drones struck Kyiv, setting a nine-storey apartment building ablaze. The attack marked the second strike on Kyiv in 24 hours, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to call on the US to respond with harsh sanctions against Russia.

In Short

• At least two killed, 21 injured in second strike on Kyiv in 24 hours
• Russian strikes hit 26 electric power and 4 oil-gas facilities, 600,000 lose power
• Zelensky urges US for harsh sanctions and more Patriot missile systems

A massive fire engulfed a high-rise apartment building in Kyiv after Russian forces unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on the Ukrainian capital, killing at least two people and injuring 21 others.

The attack marked the second strike on Kyiv in 24 hours, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to call on the US to respond with harsh sanctions against Russia.

Video footage and photos from the scene showed massive flames engulfing the building as thick plumes of smoke billowed into the sky.

Firefighters trained hoses on the blaze in an effort to bring it under control, while terrified onlookers watched from the ground.

Security personnel and emergency teams were also seen at the scene as residents were evacuated from the damaged nine-storey building.

In a post on X, Zelensky said Russia had used 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 strike drones and loitering munitions against Ukraine's energy sector and critical infrastructure in the capital city, the surrounding Kyiv region and Kharkiv.

The strikes have caused significant damage to facilities and equipment at 26 elements of Ukraine's electric power complex and four facilities in its oil and gas sector. At least 600,000 people without electricity as a result of the damages.

Calling the strike on the energy sector deliberate, Zelensky said Russia had disregarded a ceasefire appeal by US President Donald Trump. He said Moscow had squandered an opportunity for de-escalation and chosen to continue what he described as a "mad war of destruction."

"We ask America and everyone in the world who does not close their eyes to reality to respond, and to respond harshly," Zelensky said, urging Trump to impose "strong sanctions" against Russia.

He also appealed to Washington to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot anti-missile systems.

Zelensky said the US President had the tools to bring peace closer through strength, justice and pressure on the aggressor.

He added that no country should be left alone to face Russia and invoked former US President Ronald Reagan's principle that peace could come only through strength.

RUSSIA'S RESPONSE

Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had struck seven Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities and a data centre in the overnight attack, claiming the targets benefited Ukraine's military.

It said the operation was carried out using ground-launched missiles and long-range strike drones.

According to the ministry, the targets included heat and power plants in Kyiv and the wider Kyiv region, a thermal power plant and an electricity substation, as well as energy facilities in Kharkiv.

It also claimed to have hit a data centre in Kyiv used to gather intelligence on Russian armed forces.

It said the attack was carried out using ground-launched missiles and long-range strike drones. Kyiv was facing power cuts on Wednesday following the strikes on its energy facilities, Klitschko said.

- Ends
(With Reuters inputs)