Russia unleashed another large-scale overnight assault on Ukraine, firing ballistic missiles and drones at multiple cities in one of the fiercest attacks in recent months.
Ukrainian officials said the strikes left at least five people dead and dozens more injured, while significant damage was reported to homes, businesses and logistics facilities.
The bombardment came as Ukraine continued carrying out long-range attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and shipping assets, highlighting the growing intensity of the conflict on both sides.
Kharkiv Suffers Deadliest Blow
The northeastern city of Kharkiv endured the highest death toll during the latest wave of strikes.
Regional authorities said four people were killed after a postal terminal on the city’s outskirts was hit.
Nineteen others sustained injuries, with several reported to be in critical condition.
The victims were men ranging in age from their mid-20s to early 60s, according to local officials.
Emergency responders worked through the aftermath as rescue operations continued across the affected area.
Kyiv Hit by One of the Biggest Ballistic Attacks of the War
Ukraine’s capital also came under intense bombardment, with one person killed and at least 16 others wounded.
President Volodymyr Zelensky described the overnight assault as one of the largest ballistic missile attacks Kyiv has faced since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Residential buildings, commercial properties, a supermarket and a student dormitory were among the structures damaged.
Fires also broke out at warehouses, while a logistics centre in Bucha district outside Kyiv was struck, leaving additional civilians injured.
Ukrainian Air Defences Intercept Dozens of Threats
Despite the scale of the assault, Ukraine’s air defence systems managed to intercept a significant number of incoming weapons.
Military officials said 18 of the 41 missiles launched toward Kyiv were destroyed before reaching their targets.
Air defence units also shot down 108 drones during the overnight attack.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia employed a combination of Iskander ballistic missiles, hypersonic Zircon missiles and more than 100 drones during the operation.
Zelensky Highlights Escalating Russian Campaign
In a message shared after the attacks, Zelensky outlined the intensity of Russia’s recent military operations.
According to the Ukrainian president, Moscow has launched approximately 1,450 attack drones, over 1,640 guided aerial bombs and 99 missiles of various types against Ukraine within the past week alone.
He renewed calls for additional ballistic missile interceptors from European allies, describing air defence as Ukraine’s most urgent military requirement.
Ukraine Responds With Strikes Inside Russia
While defending against Russian attacks, Ukraine also continued targeting strategic sites inside Russian territory.
Zelensky said Ukrainian security services struck three oil depots simultaneously in Russia’s Stavropol region, while military forces hit another fuel-related facility in the same area.
He also announced successful strikes on three Russian oil tankers operating in the Black Sea, saying the operations were intended to increase pressure on Moscow to end the war.
Russian Energy Facilities Report Damage
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium confirmed that its terminal at the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk had been affected during the attacks.
The company said two oil tankers sustained damage, forcing loading operations to be suspended.
It added that no injuries or oil spills had been reported.
Meanwhile, authorities in Russia’s Stavropol region said a drone strike ignited a fire at an industrial park.
Warehouse Attacks Add to Cross-Border Escalation
The latest exchange of attacks followed Ukraine’s reported drone strikes on two warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer.
Those attacks reportedly killed eight people and triggered major fires at logistics facilities in Tambov and Elektrostal.
Wildberries, frequently compared to Amazon, has become one of Russia’s largest e-commerce companies, making its infrastructure a high-profile target.
Ukrainian officials have said energy and logistics facilities that support Russia’s wartime economy are legitimate military objectives because oil and gas revenues continue to help finance Moscow’s invasion.
Air Defence Remains Ukraine’s Immediate Priority
As both countries intensify attacks far beyond the front lines, Ukraine is pressing its international partners for more advanced air defence systems.
Zelensky stressed that intercepting ballistic missiles has become an everyday necessity, warning that additional supplies of missile interceptors are essential to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from future large-scale assaults.
With missile exchanges and long-range drone attacks becoming increasingly frequent, the conflict continues to expand in both scale and complexity, showing few signs of easing.
