Russia Launches Pre-Dawn Air Raid on Kyiv, Killing at Least One; Moscow Hit by Drones

Before daylight on Tuesday, the buzzing of drones could be heard over Kyiv, followed by loud explosions as air defense systems brought them down. It was the third Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital in 24 hours, and it sent residents into shelters once more.

At least one person was killed and three were injured when a high-rise in the Holosiiv district caught fire. The cause was not immediately clear, though the Kyiv Military Administration noted that falling debris from drones and interceptor missiles has frequently caused damage on the ground. The building's top two floors were destroyed, and the administration said people might be under the rubble. More than 20 people were evacuated.

Elsewhere in the city, falling debris started a fire in a private house in the Darnytskyi district, and three cars were set alight in the Pechersky district. Early information from the military administration said air defenses destroyed at least 20 Shahed explosive drones in Kyiv's airspace. The Ukrainian air force later said the country had shot down 29 of the 31 drones fired into the country overall, most of them over the Kyiv area.

Residents described a mix of relief and dread. Valeriya Oreshko, 39, told The Associated Press that even with the immediate danger over, the attacks had everyone on edge. "You are happy that you are alive, but think about what will happen next," she said. Another resident, who gave only her first name, Oksana, said the whole building shook when it was hit. She urged others to go to shelters, because no one knows where a drone will fly. "We hold on," she said.

The same morning, Moscow reported an attack of its own. Residents said they heard explosions, and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed a drone attack. In a Telegram post he said it caused "insignificant damage" to several buildings. Two people received medical attention for unspecified injuries but did not need to be hospitalized, and residents of two damaged buildings were evacuated. Andrei Vorobyov, governor of the wider Moscow region, said several drones were shot down on the approach to the city. Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment.

This was the second reported attack on Moscow this month. Earlier in May, authorities said two drones targeted the Kremlin in what Russia labeled an attempt on President Vladimir Putin's life.

The string of strikes on Kyiv began Sunday and included a rare daylight attack on Monday, when puffs of white smoke hung in blue skies. At about 11:30 a.m., Russian forces fired 11 ballistic and cruise missiles at the capital, according to Ukraine's chief of staff, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who said all were shot down. Debris fell in central and northern districts, landing amid traffic on a city road and igniting a fire on a building's roof. At least one civilian was hurt.

Russia's Defense Ministry said it launched strikes early Monday on Ukrainian air bases with precision long-range air-launched missiles, claiming it destroyed command posts, radars, aircraft and ammunition stockpiles. It said nothing about hitting cities or civilian areas.

What to watch now is the search of the Holosiiv building for anyone trapped, and whether Ukraine responds publicly to Moscow's account of the drone attack.