From the evening of 21 October and throughout the night of 22 October 2026, Russian forces carried out three waves of ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv, firing 21 missiles. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, numerous hits and damage were recorded in the capital to residential buildings, energy facilities, shopping centres, businesses, and railway station and underground infrastructure. In total, 12 regions of Ukraine came under Russian attack. According to the latest figures announced by the head of state, 34 people were injured in Kyiv and other regions, including five children. Two fatalities have been reported. The massive attack took place almost immediately after the latest round of talks on a possible end to the war.
- Russia carried out three waves of ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv, firing 21 missiles.
- Twelve regions of Ukraine have come under Russian attack.
- In Kyiv, residential buildings, power facilities, shopping centres, businesses and the infrastructure of the metro and railway station have been damaged.
- A monastery is among the damaged buildings in the capital.
- According to Zelenskyy, 34 people have been injured in Kyiv and the regions, including five children.
Three waves of missile strikes on Kyiv: what Zelenskyy said
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the consequences of the massive Russian attack, which lasted from the evening of Wednesday, 21 October, into the night of 22 October. According to him, Russian forces attacked the capital three times with ballistic missiles. In total, the enemy fired 21 missiles, resulting in significant damage to civilian infrastructure in Kyiv.
The damaged buildings include ordinary residential blocks and energy infrastructure facilities, shopping centres, businesses and even a monastery.
The strikes also damaged the infrastructure at one of the railway stations and the underground. As a result, on the morning of 22 October, there were significant traffic restrictions public transport.
Rescue workers, medical staff, law enforcement officers and utility services are working at the sites of the strikes.
Two dead, 34 injured: five children are among the casualties
The President reported that two people are known to have been killed as a result of Russian strikes on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine.
A further 34 people were injured, including five children. These are the overall figures for the impact of the attack in the capital and the regions, not just the number of casualties in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and emphasised that emergency services are at work wherever the effects of the shelling have been reported.
The number of casualties may be revised as rescue and search operations are completed.
The metro, railway station and shopping centres in Kyiv have been damaged
One of the consequences of the Russian attack was damage to the capital’s transport infrastructure. In particular, following an attack on metro facilities on the South Bridge, services on the green metro line have been temporarily restricted.
Trains have started running separately on the «Syrets»–«Vydubychi» and «Osokorky»–«Chervonyi Khutir» sections. The lack of a direct connection between the banks of the Dnipro has caused transport disruption in the city.
Extensive damage to commercial premises has also been reported in the capital, particularly in the Obolon district. Widely circulated footage shows the ruined structures of buildings and the aftermath of fires. In addition, Russian strikes have damaged residential areas, vehicles, energy infrastructure and businesses.
The extent of the material damage is still being assessed.
Zelenskyy: Russia responded to peace talks with ballistic missiles
The President of Ukraine pointed out that the massive missile attack took place almost immediately after the latest round of international negotiations regarding the end of the war.
On 21 October, the US President’s Special Representative Steve Witkoff held a meeting with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. Following the talks, the Russian side stated that, in principle, it was prepared to return to the trilateral format involving Ukraine, the US and the Russian Federation.
However, just a few hours later, the Ukrainian capital came under heavy ballistic attack.
«In fact, immediately after the latest round of talks, Russia launched a demonstrative strike,» Zelenskyy emphasised.
According to the Ukrainian President, such actions indicate that there has been no real change in the Russian leadership’s attitude towards the war. The Head of State noted that diplomatic efforts to bring the war to an end must continue.
Ukraine calls for a strengthening of air defence and increased sanctions pressure on Russia
Zelenskyy emphasised that putting an end to Russian attacks requires not only negotiations but also effective deterrents.
The President identified strengthening Ukraine’s air defence, speeding up the supply of missiles to intercept ballistic targets, and increasing Ukraine’s capacity to counter missile threats as top priorities. Separately, he called on international partners to step up sanctions pressure on Russia.
According to the President, diplomatic initiatives must be accompanied by concrete actions that will help put an end to the loss of life.
The large-scale attack on 22 October was yet another blow to Ukrainian cities against the backdrop of intensified international negotiations. Meanwhile, rescue workers continue to deal with the aftermath of the shelling, whilst the relevant services are assessing the extent of the damage.
