Russia launched its most extensive aerial attack in weeks on Ukraine, deploying nearly 700 drones and dozens of missiles across multiple civilian targets. The assault, which lasted from daytime into the night, resulted in at least 16 deaths and over 80 injuries, with residential areas, hospitals, and critical infrastructure damaged in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian residents described harrowing scenes of destruction and terror, highlighting the brutal impact of Russia's ongoing campaign against civilians.
The attack comes amid Ukrainian efforts to bolster air defenses through international support and a recent diplomatic trip by President Zelenskyy to Germany, Norway, and Italy. Ukraine emphasizes the urgent need for advanced missile defense systems and financial aid, especially amid blocked EU funds and pressure over stockpiled American systems. Zelenskyy condemned the attack, reaffirmed his alliance-building efforts, and called for accountability for war crimes committed by Russia. Despite Ukraine’s significant domestic arms industry, it still relies heavily on foreign military aid to counter Moscow’s relentless strikes, which have cumulatively caused thousands of civilian deaths since the invasion began.