Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Attack on Ukraine, Killing 11 and Injuring Over 100
The large-scale bombardment struck multiple regions, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Poltava, and Zaporizhzhia, causing widespread destruction to residential buildings, infrastructure, and public facilities. Ukrainian authorities reported that emergency crews continued search-and-rescue operations as fears remained that additional victims could be trapped beneath collapsed structures.
In the capital, Kyiv, explosions echoed throughout the night as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming threats. A 24-storey apartment building suffered severe damage, while fires broke out in several districts. Thousands of residents sought shelter in subway stations during the prolonged assault. At least four people were killed in the city, with dozens more injured, including children.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched approximately 656 drones and 73 missiles during the attack. Air defenses reportedly intercepted 602 drones and 40 missiles, but dozens of projectiles still reached their targets. Officials said at least 38 locations across the country were hit despite the interception efforts.
The Dnipropetrovsk region was among the hardest hit. Authorities reported multiple fatalities in the city of Dnipro, including an emergency responder who was killed during a secondary strike while rescue operations were underway. Numerous residential properties and civilian facilities were damaged.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and renewed calls for additional international military assistance, particularly advanced air defense systems capable of intercepting ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia continues to intensify its long-range strike campaign as fighting persists along the front lines.
Russian officials stated that the strikes targeted military and defense-related facilities. However, Ukrainian authorities said numerous civilian areas were affected, including apartment buildings, schools, and other public infrastructure.
The latest barrage comes amid stalled peace negotiations and increasing drone and missile exchanges between the two countries. Analysts say the attack demonstrates Russia’s continued reliance on large-scale aerial assaults aimed at overwhelming Ukraine’s air defense network.
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, remains one of the deadliest conflicts in Europe in recent decades, with no immediate breakthrough in peace efforts despite ongoing international diplomatic initiatives.
