Emergency services spray water on an apartment block damaged by Russian strikes, Kyiv, Ukraine, November 14, 2025

EA on Ukraine’s War and Politics 24: Russia’s Economic Problems, Kyiv’s Corruption Challenge

Friday’s Coverage: “Massive” Russia Missile and Drone Strike on Kyiv

UPDATE 0805 GMT:

Ukrainian drones have reportedly struck the Ryazan oil refinery, 122 miles southeast of Moscow.

Local residents spoke of the attack. Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov said there was a fire at a business and “material damage is being assessed”.

The refinery, owned by Russian State firm Rosneft, was also hit in late October, affecting a quarter of its output.

The complex is Rosneft’s largest, processing 13.1 million tons of crude in 2024 and accounting for 5% of Russia’s total refinery capacity.

UPDATE 0750 GMT:

Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 91 of 135 drones and 2 of 3 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles fired by Russia overnight.

The other missile and 41 drones struck 13 locations.

A 65-year-old man was killed by a drone strike on the Dnipropetrovsk region in south-central Ukraine.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: At least six civilians were murdered and at least 35 injured in Kyiv by Russia’s missile and drone strikes early Friday.

The Russians launched around 430 drones and 18 missiles, concentrating most of their fire on Ukraine’s capital.

Nine of the wounded were hospitalized. The injured included a pregnant woman and children aged 7 and 10.

The head of the city’s military administration said of the three waves of explosions from 12:45 to 1:30 a.m.: “The Russians are striking residential buildings. Many high-rise buildings across Kyiv have been affected, in almost every district.”

At least 11 multi-story blocks were struck. A hospital, a school, and buildings at a sports facility were also hit. Sections of the heating network were damaged.

The compound of Azerbaijan’s embassy was hit by the blast of an Iskander missile, causing serious damage including the destruction of part of the perimeter wall. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issued a strong protest to the Russian ambassador in Baku.

Zelensky: Attack “Aimed at Causing Maximum Harm”

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said of the “wicked” assault:

This was a deliberately calculated attack aimed at causing maximum harm to people and civilian infrastructure….

Ukraine is responding to these strikes with long-range strength, and the world must stop these attacks on life with sanctions.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized, “Justice will come. Justice for every life taken, every home destroyed, every family shattered. The world must act.”

In his nightly address to the nation, Zelensky said:

Patriots performed well, successfully intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. Yet we still need considerably more forces, systems, and compatible missiles to protect lives.

He noted a commitment by eight Baltic and Nordic members of NATO to purchase $500 million of US-made arms, which will include air defense elements.

A “major deal with France is in preparation and will be finalized soon – a historic agreement”, the President added.

Zelensky will meet French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris next Monday.