A fire burning in Kyiv after a Russian missile attack in the early hours of Sunday. Russia-Ukraine war at a glance Ukraine Explainer Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv faces missile barrage after Zelenskyy targets Russian satellite network.

Russian forces launched a missile attack on Kyiv early on Sunday, sparking fires in at least two districts of the Ukrainian capital, according to the city’s mayor. Kyiv’s military administration reported one injury as explosions were heard throughout the city following air alerts that began after 2 AM. Mayor Vitali Klitschko shared on Telegram that falling debris ignited a fire in a non-residential area of a northern suburb, with several vehicles also ablaze. Another fire was reported just south of the city center, and unofficial channels on Telegram circulated images of market stalls engulfed in flames.

In recent weeks, Russia has intensified air assaults on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. In response, Ukraine has conducted long-range strikes targeting key Russian military installations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Flamingo cruise missiles successfully hit a Russian rocket facility located approximately 900 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, as part of Kyiv’s strategy to pressure Moscow by striking deep within Russian territory. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to diminish Russia’s military capabilities, stating, “Peace is needed, and this must be evident in Russia – through concrete damage to specific facilities.”

The targeted airfield reportedly housed aircraft used in attacks against Ukraine. Ukrainian armed forces confirmed direct hits at the airfield in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region and the Progress rocket center in the Samara region, igniting fires at both locations. The Samara facility is known for producing rockets that support Russia’s Rassvet broadband network, which is being developed as an alternative to SpaceX’s Starlink. Notably, while Starlink operates in Ukraine, it is not available in Russia, providing Ukraine with an advantage in drone operations and battlefield communications.

In Samara, local officials reported that air defenses had successfully repelled a “massive missile attack,” although some localized damage to the industrial infrastructure was noted. Ivan Noskov, head of the regional capital, stated that emergency services were engaged at the scene.

Additionally, Russia has expressed concerns over reports suggesting that the United States and Turkey may transfer a substantial arsenal of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. A spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry warned that such a transfer would severely damage relations with both Washington and Ankara.

In a tragic incident, a Russian strike on an apartment building in southeastern Ukraine resulted in the death of a three-month-old baby and injuries to eleven others. Drones targeted the structure in the town of Marhanets, as reported by Oleksandr Hanzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration.

Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its drones and missiles had struck various Ukrainian logistics centers and infrastructure, including facilities used by the Ukrainian military for long-range drones and drone boats.

In a related development, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed pride in the strong ties between North Korea and Russia in a letter to President Vladimir Putin. This exchange highlights the growing alliance between the two nations, with North Korea reportedly sending troops to support Russia’s military efforts in exchange for economic and military assistance.