Russia Hits Kyiv Again Hours After Previous Strike — Apartment Building Collapses, Death Toll Climbs

The New Attack — What Happened Overnight

Russia launched a second major strike hours after Wednesday's daytime attack. Early Thursday morning, May 14, 2026, drones and ballistic missiles hit Kyiv again.

At least 2 dead. At least 40 wounded. Those numbers are from Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.

AP News and NPR initially reported 1 dead and 31 injured. BBC reported the higher figures based on updates from rescue teams still working the scene. As of publication, the BBC's numbers reflect the most current accounting.

One Building Tells the Whole Story

In Kyiv's Darnytsia district, a nine-story residential apartment block took a direct hit and partially collapsed.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko — the former world heavyweight boxing champion turned politician — walked through the rubble himself. He confirmed 18 apartments were destroyed. The city's water supply on the left bank of Kyiv was knocked out by the attack.

At least 27 people were pulled from the wreckage alive, according to Ukraine's Emergency Service. Zelensky confirmed the rescues but warned the operation was still active.

A 78-year-old resident named Lyudmila Hlushko described it to AP: she heard explosions around 3 a.m., then the building "shook violently" with a loud bang that shattered her windows.

Six Districts Hit. Multiple Cities.

Damage was recorded across six districts of Kyiv, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's Military Administration.

The attack also hit Kremenchuk, Bila Tserkva, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Odesa — confirmed by Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Svyrydenko. Both ballistic and cruise missiles were used alongside the drones.

A drone struck the roof of a five-story residential building in the Dnieper district. A school and a veterinary clinic were also damaged, according to Zelensky.

The Pattern

This marks the third consecutive day of reported Ukrainian civilian deaths since the ceasefire expired Monday. Wednesday's attack involving 892 drones was "one of the largest Russia has mounted since the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022," according to BBC. Russia then launched another major strike hours later.

Zelensky said Russia's assault was "definitely not the actions of those who believe the war is coming to an end" and urged Ukraine's partners not to stay silent. He called out Washington directly, saying the attacks demonstrate Russia's intent to continue fighting.

What Comes Next

Russia launched two major attacks in under 24 hours. The ceasefire that expired Monday shows no signs of holding.

For Kyiv residents, this means another night of sheltering, another apartment block in rubble, another neighborhood without running water. For American policymakers, the pressure for a decision on aid, negotiations, and support remains urgent.