Massive Russian drone attack slams Kyiv and hits maternity hospital in Odesa, Ukrainian officials say

Russia launched 315 drones at Ukraine overnight into Tuesday, in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said was “one of the largest” attacks on the capital Kyiv, as officials said a maternity ward in the southern port city of Odesa had been hit.

Air raid sirens blared across Kyiv just after midnight, announcing an imminent Russian attack. What followed was a long and terrifying night.

CNN staff on the ground heard air defense systems working non-stop in the city center. Hiding in basements, public shelters and corridors and bathrooms – often the safest spots in their homes – Kyiv residents could hear and feel the loud thuds of explosions. Dozens of drones were heard flying over the city center over a period of about three hours, sometimes a few at a time. Their number was unusual: While Russia has significantly increased the scale and frequency of drone attacks in recent weeks, a handful at most would be heard in Kyiv during previous assaults.