Summary

Media caption,

Watch: Air raid sirens heard as deadly Russian bombardment hits Kyiv

  1. Kyiv mayor declares day of mourning after 'barbaric attack'published at 10:08 British Summer Time

    Vitaly Klitschko standing next to a collapsed buildingImage source, Vitaly Klitschko Telegram

    Back in Ukraine, Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko has declared a day of mourning on Friday, following Russia's overnight strikes that have killed 14 people, including three children.

    Klitschko says a search and rescue operation is under way in Kyiv's Darnytskyi district, where 120 people lived in one residential building that partially collapsed after being hit overnight by a Russian missile.

    During a visit to the district he describes the strikes as “yet another barbaric attack” by Russia.

  2. Russian oil refinery catches fire after Ukrainian attackpublished at 09:55 British Summer Time

    Vitaliy Shevchenko
    Russia editor, BBC Monitoring

    We have some more reports from Russia now, as emergency services in the Krasnodar region say an oil refinery in Afipsky has caught fire following a Ukrainian attack.

    Ukraine's armed forces confirm a drone strike on the refinery, in southern Russia, which it says produces petrol and diesel for the Russian army.

    Ukraine also claims it hit another oil refinery in Novokuybyshevsk in the Samara region in southern Russia, which it says is also on fire. A previous Ukrainian drone strike on that refinery caused a massive explosion earlier this month.

    Samara region governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev confirms a Ukrainian drone attack on the region, and says flights have been stopped at the local airport and mobile internet restricted.

    This measure is often taken in Russia to hamper the movements of drones that rely on local mobile data networks for navigation.

    Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil refineries in an effort to disrupt Moscow's war machine.

  3. Russia says it intercepted 102 Ukrainian drones overnightpublished at 09:46 British Summer Time

    As we continue to report on these overnight strikes on Ukraine's capital Kyiv, let's take a look at what has been happening in Russia.

    The defence ministry says, during the same timeframe, its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 102 Ukrainian drones.

    They say the drones were located over the Black Sea and Ukrainian regions including Rostov, Samara, Saratov and Volgograd.

    Russia's aerial attacks on Ukrainian regions last night involved 598 drones, 11 ballistic and 20 cruise missiles, according to Ukraine's air force.

  4. Death toll in Kyiv rises to 14, emergency services saypublished at 09:37 British Summer Time
    Breaking

    Emergency services in Ukraine have just announced that the death toll following Russia's overnight strikes has risen to 14, including three children.

    Another 38 people have been injured, officials say.

  5. British Council condemns 'severe damage' to Kyiv officespublished at 09:33 British Summer Time

    As we've just reported, pictures this morning from Kyiv appeared to show the offices of the British Council damaged by Russia's strikes attacks.

    The British Council has now confirmed its office was "severely damaged" in the strikes.

    In a statement, it says:

    "Following last night's attack on Kyiv, our British Council office has been severely damaged and will be closed to visitors until further notice.

    "While there may be some delays in our responses, our work with our Ukrainian partners in education and culture continues."

  6. British Council building damaged in strikespublished at 09:30 British Summer Time

    The British Council building, which is at least five storeys tall, and all of its windows are smashed out. A small group of people, some in their pajamas, are standing out the front looking at the damage. There is debris all over the ground out the front.Image source, Reuters

    In the same block as the EU Delegation building in Kyiv is the British Council offices, which have also damaged by Russia's overnight strikes.

    Pictures from the scene show all of the windows blown out, with glass, insulation and debris strewn on the ground.

    The British Council, which works to promote cultural relationships between the UK and other countries, is yet to comment on whether any of its staff were injured.

    As we've been reporting, this is the largest attack on the Ukrainian capital since 31 July.

  7. Rescuers rush to find survivors in burning buildingspublished at 09:17 British Summer Time

    Katy Watson
    Reporting from Kyiv

    Cranes and diggers work on a partially crumbled block of flats

    We’ve come to one of the residential buildings that was hit overnight in the Darnytsky district on Kyiv’s left bank.

    The missile that hit at around three in the morning went straight through the block of flats, causing it to collapse.

    There are diggers removing rubble and rescue workers clambering on top of still burning parts of the building looking for survivors.

    We’ve been told 10 people lived in this part of the building - the authorities haven’t been able to reach them so until they know their whereabouts, it’s a rescue mission not recovery.

    A path in Kyiv filled with water as people stand nearby looking at burning rubble.
  8. Number of people killed in Kyiv rises again - to 13published at 09:08 British Summer Time
    Breaking

    Emergency services in Kyiv say 13 people are confirmed to have been killed and 10 are still missing after overnight Russian strikes on the capital.

    Twelve of the fatalities were caused by an attack on a residential building in Darnytsky district, and one person died in Shevchenkivsky district, officials says.

    Search and rescue operations are continuing at the sites.

  9. EU mission in Kyiv damaged in strikes - Ukraine foreign ministerpublished at 09:03 British Summer Time

    Aftermath of strike on the EU mission to Ukraine in KyivImage source, Andrii Sybiha‎

    Ukraine's foreign minister has called for "strong international reactions" to Russia’s latest strikes after the EU mission to Ukraine building was damaged.

    "During the night strike, Russia also targeted diplomats - in direct breach of the Vienna convention. The EU mission to Ukraine was damaged," Andrii Sybiha‎ posted on X.

    "This requires not only the EU, but worldwide condemnation. We express solidarity with our EU colleagues and are ready to provide assistance."

    "Whatever Putin said in Alaska, his real actions reject diplomacy, dialogue, and peace efforts," Sybiha‎ added.

  10. Heavy night of attacks after weeks of relative calmpublished at 08:45 British Summer Time

    Katy Watson
    Reporting from Kyiv

    The traffic along the Dniprovska embankment is heavy and slow-moving this morning - Kyiv residents have returned to their daily lives after a heavy night of attacks.

    It’s sometimes easy to forget the immediacy of the war in the capital - far from the frontline, life carries on.

    People go to work, eat out in Kyiv’s many restaurants and consume the news about security guarantees and potential peace talks.

    But as the evening approaches, anxiety grows.

    Sometimes - like last night - intelligence does the rounds on social media that heavy attacks are coming. Depending on what’s expected, people react to air raid sirens in different ways. Last night there were warnings of missiles - many residents made their way to shelters to keep safe.

    The thunder of air defences trying to intercept drones and missiles - and then the occasional hit - wakes everyone up, even kilometres away. Last night was intense and after a few weeks of relative calm here, nobody is under any illusion that this war will end any time soon.

  11. Awful night for Kyiv, says city's mayorpublished at 08:35 British Summer Time

    Vitaliy Shevchenko
    Russia editor, BBC Monitoring

    Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko says it has been an "awful night for Kyiv".

    In the capital, there are "many damaged buildings in the Darnytskyi, Dniprovskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Desnianskyi districts," he says, adding that these include both non-residential buildings, high-rise apartments, educational institutions, and transport infrastructure.

    "In Darnytsky district, a five-storey building has been destroyed. Rescuers are looking for people under the rubble. A shopping centre has been hit in the city centre. Residential buildings are damaged next to it," he adds.

    Earlier, Klitschko described the overnight attacks as "massive".

  12. Death toll rises to 12 in Kyiv, including three children - officialpublished at 08:27 British Summer Time
    Breaking

    Vitaliy Shevchenko
    Russia editor, BBC Monitoring

    We've just had an update from Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, who says the death toll in Kyiv has risen to 12 - including three children aged two, 14 and 17.

    These latest figures have also been reported by Kyiv's mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko.

    Earlier, Tkachenko and Ukraine's prosecutor's office had said 10 people were killed in the strikes.

  13. Kyiv's residential areas hit hardestpublished at 08:08 British Summer Time

    Russia's overnight strikes mainly hit residential areas in the country's capital Kyiv.

    The latest pictures show rescue workers outside residential blocks, and people inspecting the damage to their homes in the aftermath of the strikes.

    A rescuer holds a soft toy at the site of an apartment building which was hit by Russian missile and drone strikesImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Rescuers continue their recovery operation in Kyiv

    A woman cries as she stands at the site of an apartment building hit during Russian drone and missile strikesImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    A woman stands near to the British Council building in Kyiv, which was damaged in the strike

    Rescuers work at the site of a building which was hit by Russian missile and drone strikesImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    This residential block of buildings was hit by a Russian strike

    People gather at the site of buildings hit by Russian missile and drone strikesImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Debris lines the streets in parts of Kyiv

  14. Ten killed in Russian strikes on Kyiv, prosecutor's office sayspublished at 07:58 British Summer Time
    Breaking

    The number of people known to have been killed overnight in Kyiv has risen to 10, the Ukrainian prosecutor's office says.

    This chimes with the latest figures released by Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, which we reported a little earlier.

    Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least eight people, including a child, had been killed in these attacks.

    • With a rescue operation under way, this figure could well change again - if that happens we'll let you know.
  15. Russia's largest attack on Kyiv since Julypublished at 07:48 British Summer Time

    Vitaliy Shevchenko
    Russia editor, BBC Monitoring

    Ukraine's air force says last night's aerial attack by Russia involved 598 drones, 11 ballistic and 20 cruise missiles, which targeted regions across Ukraine.

    Of them, 563 drones, eight ballistic and 18 cruise missiles were intercepted.

    It's not yet clear how many of these hit Kyiv.

    This is the largest attack on the Ukrainian capital since 31 July, when more than 30 people were killed.

    The previous comparable Russian aerial attack was on 21 August, involving 574 drones and 40 missiles and mainly targeting Western Ukraine. It killed at least one person and injured more than 20.

  16. Conflicting reports of death toll in Kyiv - who's said what?published at 07:45 British Summer Time

    Rescuers work at the site of an apartment building which was hit by Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, 28 August 2025.Image source, Reuters

    Russian attacks on Kyiv struck several residential buildings in more than 20 districts of the capital.

    As is usual in war, there are conflicting reports on the number of deaths - here's what we've heard so far, and from who.

    In a recent update the head of Kyiv's military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, says the death toll has risen to 10, with 48 others injured. Earlier, he said a 14-year-old girl is among those killed.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says at least eight people including a child have been killed in the strikes.

    Ukraine's emergency state services report the death toll stands at six, with 26 injured.

    We're continuing to monitor the situation in Kyiv, and will bring you the latest developments.

  17. Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table - Zelenskypublished at 07:29 British Summer Time

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr ZelenskyImage source, EPA

    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says eight people, including one child, were killed in overnight attacks on the country's capital Kyiv.

    Describing the strikes as a "massive attack against our cities and communities", Zelensky says dozens have been wounded, with first responders working to rescue people trapped under the rubble.

    The attacks are "a clear response to everyone in the world who, for weeks and months, has been calling for a ceasefire and for real diplomacy", he goes on - adding in a statement:

    "Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war. And this means that Russia still does not fear the consequences.

    "We expect a response from everyone in the world who has called for peace but now more often stays silent rather than taking principled positions. And it is definitely time for new, tough sanctions against Russia for everything it is doing.

    "All deadlines have already been broken, dozens of opportunities for diplomacy ruined. Russia must feel accountable for every strike, for every day of this war."

  18. Analysis

    An intense night in Kyiv, with drones and missiles coming from various locationspublished at 07:19 British Summer Time

    Katy Watson
    Reporting from Kyiv

    The sirens went off last night and then most people here were woken up around 03:00 local time by a very loud explosion. There was a combination of drones and missiles that came from various locations.

    Most of the targets were residential buildings and authorities on the ground are still trying to pull people out of the rubble.

    President Zelensky says this is a clear response to everyone who has been calling for a ceasefire and real diplomacy. He says Russia chooses ballistics over the negotiating table.

    The last week or so had been pretty quiet.

    I was talking to one Ukrainian overnight in the shelter, who said he had sent his family to Croatia and had been thinking of bringing them back to Kyiv because the situation might be better now.

    He was very glad he hadn't done that.

  19. Child among Ukrainians killed in latest strikes on Kyivpublished at 07:17 British Summer Time

    Asya Robins
    Live reporter

    Rescuers work at the site of an apartment building which was hit by Russian missile and drone strikes,Image source, Reuters

    Ukraine's capital Kyiv has come under heavy Russian bombardment overnight.

    There are varying reports on the death toll, which we are working to confirm.

    Russian strikes on the capital have killed at least eight people, including a child, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says.

    Ukraine's State Emergency Service says the death toll stands at six, while Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, says a 14-year-old girl is among the dead.

    “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war,” Zelensky says in a statement, reiterating the need for "new, tough sanctions" on Moscow.

    In Russia, the defence ministry says 102 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight.

    We'll bring you the latest developments as we get them, as well as analysis from our correspondents across the region - stay with us.