Missile And Drone Barrages Hit Overnight
Russian missile and drone attacks struck several parts of Ukraine overnight, killing at least 18 people and injuring 116 others, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The latest barrage came just days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing a “massive new strike” against the country.
Kyiv Rocked By Explosions
Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv as air defence systems responded to the attack.
Fires broke out in several areas of the Ukrainian capital, and by late Tuesday morning officials reported at least six deaths and 66 injuries in the city.
Ballistic Missiles Used In Kyiv
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s city military administration, said Russia used ballistic missiles in Tuesday’s attack.
Local media reported that residents rushed to shelters carrying bags and blankets as smoke rose from the city centre.
Mayor Urges Residents To Shelter
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned residents as explosions shook the capital.
He said air defence forces were working and urged people to remain in shelters. Power was also knocked out in several districts of the city.
Dnipro Suffers Heavy Casualties
At the same time as Kyiv was being struck, Russia also attacked the city of Dnipro.
By late Tuesday morning, the death toll in Dnipro had risen to at least 12 people, with 37 others injured.
Hospitals Treat Blast Injuries
Local governor Oleksandr Hanzha said the attack initially killed four people, including a 73-year-old woman, before the toll later rose.
Hanzha said 22 of the wounded remained in hospital with shrapnel wounds, fractures, cuts, blast injuries and acoustic trauma.
Kharkiv Also Targeted
In Kharkiv, eight people were wounded in the Slobidsky district, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.
The strikes added to the pattern of repeated Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, as air alerts continue to disrupt daily life across the country.
Zelenskyy Had Warned Of New Attack
The latest barrage followed Zelenskyy’s warning last Friday that intelligence pointed to Russia preparing a new large-scale strike.
He urged Ukrainians to pay attention to air alerts and protect their lives, saying air defence forces and other defenders would remain on duty around the clock.
Ukraine Seeks More Patriot Missiles
Zelenskyy has renewed calls for allies to provide and finance additional Patriot missile systems.
The systems are critical for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles, which have become one of the most dangerous elements of Moscow’s air campaign.
Appeal To Washington
Last week, Zelenskyy wrote to U.S. President Donald Trump and members of Congress asking for more Patriot systems.
The request came as U.S.-mediated efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict have stalled, with Washington’s attention and resources increasingly focused on the war in the Middle East.
Ukraine Steps Up Retaliatory Strikes
Ukraine has also increased strikes on occupied territories and inside Russia in response to daily Russian bombardments.
Russian officials said a Ukrainian drone strike killed one person in Kursk, near the Ukrainian border, according to regional governor Alexander Khinshtein.
War Enters A More Dangerous Phase
The overnight attacks underline the growing intensity of Russia’s air campaign and the urgent need for stronger air defence capacity in Ukraine.
With civilian casualties rising and diplomatic efforts stalled, Kyiv is pressing allies for more advanced systems while continuing to defend against repeated missile and drone barrages.
