Russia's January 1 attack on Ukraine: drone debris hits Kyiv building, killing two

Drone debris in Kyiv

Starting on the evening of December 31, Russia launched a wave of drone attacks on Ukraine. By around 7:00 a.m. on January 1, air defense systems were active in the Kyiv region. After explosions rocked the capital, it was confirmed that debris from strike drones fell in the Pecherskyi district.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported that two upper floors of a residential building in the Pecherskyi district were partially destroyed, prompting evacuations. Initially, six injuries were reported, with two people hospitalized. Among those treated at the scene was a pregnant woman.

A fire also broke out in a non-residential building in the Svyatoshynskyi district. According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, cars, garages, and nearby tram tracks 100 meters from a depot were damaged.

Later, rescuers found a woman’s body in the rubble of the damaged residential building in Pecherskyi district. Recovery efforts are ongoing.

Falling drone fragments set the roof of a National Bank building in Kyiv on fire. The blaze was quickly extinguished, and the bank's operations remain unaffected.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the attack, sharing photos of the drone aftermath and condemning Russia’s actions. “Even on New Year’s Eve, they only care about harming Ukraine,” he said. He thanked soldiers, rescuers, medics, and emergency workers for their tireless efforts to protect and save lives.

By 12:25 p.m., the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, confirmed the death toll had risen to two. 

"Unfortunately, we now have two fatalities. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Rescue operations continue in Pecherskyi and Svyatoshynskyi districts," he said.

According to Andriy Yermak, head of the President’s Office, at least four Shahed drones targeted central Kyiv.

At 2:03 p.m., Mayor Klitschko updated that two people had been killed and seven injured in the attack. 

“Three of the injured were hospitalized, and four received treatment at the scene,” he added.

By evening, the Interior Ministry reported that rescuers were working under challenging conditions, with stairwells in the damaged building collapsed. 

"Specialized teams and high-altitude robotic equipment are actively involved," the ministry noted.

Deputy Mayor Volodymyr Bondarenko stated on January 2 that investigations into the Pecherskyi district attack are ongoing.

"Seventeen buildings were damaged, including three monuments of local significance. Unfortunately, restoring them will take longer due to design and documentation requirements. Mayor Klitschko has set up an operational headquarters on Olhynska Street for affected residents. Compensation claims will depend on registering with this headquarters," Bondarenko explained.

He also reported that 250 apartments were damaged, with varying levels of destruction. 

"The main building hit has severe damage — partial destruction of the 5th and 6th floors, along with stairwell collapses. A significant fire broke out and wasn’t fully extinguished until yesterday afternoon. Until debris removal is completed, we can’t discuss rebuilding plans," Bondarenko added.

Consequences of the UAV attack in other regions

The Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported the movement of Russian air targets. At 4:43 p.m. on December 31, a drone was detected heading toward the city of Sumy.

At 8:21 p.m., a threat of Russian strike UAVs was reported in the Zaporizhzhia region. Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration, commented on the air defense activity: "The explosions you heard were the work of air defense. The Russians are attacking the city with Shahed drones."

At 10:49 p.m., a UAV was spotted moving toward Zaporizhzhia from the south. By 10:54 p.m., Regina Kharchenko, secretary of the Zaporizhzhia City Council, stated that the attack was ongoing. At 0:41 a.m., Fedorov reported that a Russian strike in one of the settlements of the Zaporizhzhia region had set several private homes on fire. Emergency responders rescued a woman from the scene.

That same night, during an air raid alert, air defense forces shot down two "Shaheds" in the Khmelnytskyi region. According to the regional military administration, there were no reported injuries or casualties.

The new year began with a drone attack on the Kyiv region. The alert lasted all night as air defense forces were active. No infrastructure was hit, and there were no casualties among the population.

However, in one settlement, windows were shattered, and the walls of a private house were damaged. Ten cars were also affected.