In what Ukrainian officials are calling the most powerful attack since the beginning of the war, Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, deploying hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles across multiple regions. The city of Kharkiv was among the hardest hit, with at least three people killed and over 20 injured, according to local authorities. The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, confirmed that the barrage damaged 18 apartment blocks and 13 private houses, with the strike involving 48 Iranian-made Shahed drones, two missiles, and four aerial glide bombs.
This latest escalation comes just days after Ukraine carried out a significant drone strike on Russian airfields, damaging several military aircraft. In response, Russia’s attack was not limited to Kharkiv. Kyiv, the capital, and other cities such as Lutsk and Ternopil also faced heavy bombardment, with air raid sirens blaring and explosions reported throughout the night.President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the strikes resulted in at least three deaths—emergency responders who were killed while rushing to assist at bombing sites—and left dozens more injured. The overall toll from the attacks across Ukraine has reached at least six killed and around 80 wounded, with the count expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
Military and Civilian Infrastructure Targeted
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched over 400 drones and 40 missiles in this overnight offensive, targeting both military and civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian air defences managed to intercept about 200 drones and 30 missiles, but many still found their targets, causing fires and extensive damage to residential buildings, shopping centres, and public utilities. In Kyiv, the upper floors of a high-rise apartment building caught fire after being struck, and emergency power outages were reported in several districts. Fires also broke out in other parts of the city due to falling debris, with rescue teams working through the night to contain the damage and assist the injured.
The scale and timing of the Russian assault are widely seen as retaliation for Ukraine’s recent drone attacks deep inside Russian territory, including strikes that reportedly damaged more than a third of Russia’s strategic missile carriers. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier warned of a strong response, a message relayed to US President Donald Trump during a recent phone conversation. The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed the strikes were aimed at military and military-related sites in Ukraine, but Ukrainian officials and witnesses reported widespread damage to civilian areas and infrastructure.
The attacks have left many Ukrainian cities reeling. In Ternopil, the regional governor reported that ten people were injured, including five emergency responders, and significant damage was caused to industrial and infrastructure sites, resulting in power and water disruptions. In Lutsk, five people were injured in an attack involving 15 drones and six missiles. Meanwhile, in Kyiv, the metro system faced disruptions as shelling damaged tracks, forcing residents to seek shelter in underground stations.
Russia not Seeking Peace
Ukrainian leaders have condemned the Russian strikes, calling for a strong international response. President Zelensky said, “This is not a country seeking peace. Russia doesn’t change its stripes,” as he urged the global community to take decisive action against what he described as systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure. Human rights officials in Ukraine have also labelled the attacks as violations of basic human rights, demanding that the world denounce Russia’s actions.
Despite the devastation, the morale among Ukrainians remains high. Many residents in Kyiv and other affected cities expressed support for their armed forces and a determination to withstand the ongoing assault. As the situation continues to develop, authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage and the number of casualties, while the threat of further escalation remains a concern for both Ukraine and the international community.
