Russian Drone Strikes Kill Nine Across Ukraine, Hit Kyiv Science Academy

Russian drone attacks across Ukraine killed at least nine people and injured more than 80 on Monday, including two people at the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

The Ukrainian capital endured persistent drone strikes throughout the day, with air raid sirens sounding as smoke rose over the city. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 24 people were injured in attacks across the capital, including six who required hospital treatment.

Emergency crews recovered one victim from rubble at the Academy of Sciences, where the strike tore open part of the historic building. Firefighters battled flames and searched the wreckage while survivors were evacuated from upper floors.

Zelenskiy said Russia increasingly used faster, high-flying jet-powered drones that remain difficult for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept. Of 120 drones launched at Ukraine, he said 90 were jet-powered and the interception rate was 57%. Ukraine is testing new interceptor systems to improve its defenses.

Other reported targets in Kyiv included a pharmaceutical company, fuel stations and a medical facility, while civilian businesses and communications infrastructure were struck elsewhere.

Dnipro also suffered heavy damage. Officials said three people were killed when a drone struck a business center, while Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi reported 19 injuries. Another person was killed at a logistics office in Synelnykove, southeast of Dnipro. An infrastructure strike in Zaporizhzhia injured 32 people, according to emergency services.

Zelenskiy also cited Ukrainian intelligence indicating Russia was expanding military recruitment. He said about 8,000 North Korean troops remained in Russia and another 10,000 were undergoing training. Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected claims that Moscow is carrying out a new mobilisation.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack on the Kyiv scientific institution and called for additional air-defense assistance from Ukraine's allies.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has stepped up attacks inside Russia, targeting oil facilities and other infrastructure. Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces struck oil sites in Russia's Krasnodar region and two defense plants on Monday.

Both Russia and Ukraine deny deliberately targeting civilians.