In a significant escalation, Russia launched a series of large-scale airstrikes across Ukraine overnight, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and numerous injuries. Key cities including Odessa, Kiev, and Dnipro were heavily targeted, with residential and commercial districts suffering substantial damage. The southern port of Odessa faced particularly severe attacks, with eight confirmed deaths and 16 injured, while Kiev reported four deaths, including a 12-year-old child, and 45 wounded amid multiple missile and drone strikes. Emergency services responded swiftly, rescuing civilians from rubble and treating wounded residents amidst ongoing alerts.
Other regions such as Dnipro also endured devastating strikes, with at least two casualties and 27 injuries, some critically injured, as fires broke out in residential buildings. Ukrainian officials strongly condemned the attacks, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by Moscow’s military campaign, which has persistently targeted civilian infrastructure and populated areas since the conflict began over four years ago. The escalation underscores Ukraine’s continued resilience amidst relentless pressure from Russian forces.