In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russian forces launched a barrage of over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles, including ballistic missiles, targeting multiple regions across Ukraine overnight. The assault, one of the largest aerial attacks in the war, resulted in the deaths of three rescue workers and injured nearly 50 people, according to Ukrainian authorities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, emphasizing that they targeted civilian life and infrastructure across nearly all of Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv.
The attacks caused widespread damage, particularly in Kyiv, where several homes in the Brovary, Bucha, and Boryspil districts suffered broken windows, damaged roofs, and compromised structures. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported that metro tracks were also affected, with repair efforts ongoing throughout the day. In the Solomenskiy district, a Russian drone struck an apartment building, leaving a significant hole and burn marks, while debris from the impact crushed vehicles below. Residents across the city sought safety in metro stations and underground parking areas as explosions echoed through the night.
Zelenskyy, in a statement shared on social media, called for global accountability, asserting that Russia’s actions demonstrate a persistent intent to devastate Ukrainian cities and communities. He urged the international community, particularly the United States and Europe, to intensify pressure on Russia to halt the violence. “The time to act decisively is now,” he stated, warning that inaction equates to complicity in the loss of lives. He highlighted the bravery of Ukraine’s defenders while expressing condolences to the families of the fallen rescue workers.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted 174 Ukrainian drones and three missiles over the Black Sea, framing the strikes as a response to Ukraine’s recent drone attacks on Russian airfields, referred to as Operation Spider’s Web. These Ukrainian operations reportedly damaged key Russian military assets, including strategic bomber aircraft, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to vow retaliation. The overnight assault appears to be the fulfillment of that promise, further intensifying the cycle of violence.
In western Ukraine, the city of Ternopil faced strikes on industrial and infrastructure facilities, resulting in power outages and a reported high concentration of toxic substances in the air. Local authorities advised residents to remain indoors for safety. In Lutsk, located in the northwest, five people were injured, and private homes, schools, and government buildings sustained damage. The widespread nature of the attacks underscores the broad scope of Russia’s military strategy, targeting both civilian and strategic sites.
The international response to the escalation remains critical. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for unified global action to curb Russia’s aggression, pointing to the collaborative efforts that have bolstered Ukraine’s defense capabilities thus far. However, he stressed that more decisive measures are required to bring the conflict to an end. Meanwhile, discussions between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, held shortly after Ukraine’s drone strikes, have yet to yield a breakthrough, with Russia’s proposed ceasefire terms deemed unacceptable by Ukrainian leadership.
As the conflict continues, the human toll mounts, with infrastructure damage and civilian casualties highlighting the urgent need for a resolution. The international community faces increasing pressure to address the crisis, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with no immediate end to the hostilities in sight.
