Calling it a “difficult night” for Ukraine, Zelenskyy said all the strikes targeted civilians and that there are fatalities.

He also called for new international sanctions to pressure Moscow into a ceasefire. “It is clear that far stronger pressure must be imposed on Russia to get results and launch real diplomacy. We are awaiting sanctions steps from the United States, Europe, and all our partners. Only additional sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy will force Moscow to cease fire. I thank everyone who helps and supports us,” he wrote on X.

“With each such attack, the world becomes more certain that the cause of prolonging the war lies in Moscow. Ukraine has proposed a ceasefire many times both a full one and one in the skies. It all has been ignored,” Zelenskyy added.

Several districts of the city reported damage. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that debris from a downed drone struck the top floor of an apartment block in the Solomynskyi district, causing a fire in the building. Another blaze broke out in a residential building in Dniprovskyi district, according to city military administration chief Timur Tkachenko.

Fires were also reported in the Obolon area in northern Kyiv, and debris was found on a shopping centre nearby. Images circulating on social media showed flames rising from rooftops and smoke drifting across the skyline.

Authorities reported damage in at least six districts.

Despite the intensifying violence, both Kyiv and Moscow agreed to a recent request by US President Donald Trump to resume peace talks

The two countries conducted a significant prisoner exchange on Friday, which Trump welcomed as a first step toward broader negotiations. However, both sides continue to accuse each other of lacking commitment to a genuine ceasefire.

As of Saturday morning, Russia had not issued any official statement regarding the strikes. The assault follows several days of Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russian territory—reportedly around 800 in total including strikes on Moscow, according to Reuters.

On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had vowed retaliation following the Ukrainian operations.-Agencies