KYIV, Ukraine — A wave of missile and drone strikes hit Ukraine’s capital early Friday, leaving four people dead and injuring at least 27 others, according to local authorities. The attacks, described as particularly devastating, resulted in significant damage across several districts, igniting fires and scattering debris throughout the sprawling city.

Emergency response teams rushed to the scene as multiple explosions echoed through the capital, prompting the activation of air defense measures. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, reported that the assault utilized over 430 drones and 18 missiles targeting various regions in a coordinated effort that primarily affected Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, characterizing it as a calculated attempt to inflict maximum harm on civilians. He noted that fragments from an Iskander missile damaged the Azerbaijani Embassy during the onslaught, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the strikes. Among those hospitalized were a man in critical condition and a pregnant woman, emphasizing the human toll of the violence.

As city officials worked to assess the damage, they issued warnings about potential power and water outages in the aftermath of the strikes. Residents in the Darnytskyi district reported debris falling onto residential properties and educational facilities, causing a vehicle to catch fire upon impact.

In the nearby Dniprovskyi district, three apartment buildings suffered damage, and fires erupted in the surrounding area as a result of the strikes. Additional reports of destruction came from the Podilskyi district, where several residential buildings and a commercial structure were also affected.

The scale of the damage extended beyond central Kyiv, with regional heads confirming that critical infrastructure and private homes were struck throughout the Kyiv region. In Bila Tserkva, a 55-year-old man was hospitalized for thermal burns, underscoring the widespread impact of the assault.

As fires blazed across different districts, authorities in the Holosiivskyi district reported damage to a medical facility, further stressing the strain on emergency services already battling the ongoing conflict. The Shevchenkivskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts also saw significant fire incidents, prompting immediate evacuations in some areas.

This latest barrage comes amid warnings from European Union officials regarding the need for Ukraine to address corruption concerns, particularly following a recent scandal involving high-ranking officials in the nuclear energy sector. Despite these challenges, EU representatives reaffirmed their commitment to continue providing support to Ukraine as it endures the persistent threat posed by Russian aggression.