Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Assault Across Ukraine

Russia unleashed one of its largest coordinated air attacks on Ukraine in recent months, firing waves of missiles and attack drones across multiple regions overnight, Ukrainian officials confirmed early today. The strikes targeted major cities as well as critical infrastructure, triggering air-raid sirens nationwide and forcing millions of residents into shelters.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched more than 70 drones and dozens of cruise and ballistic missiles, many aimed at energy facilities, transport hubs, and military sites. While Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a significant number of incoming threats, several missiles breached defenses, causing damage in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and parts of central Ukraine.

Emergency services reported multiple explosions and fires in residential neighborhoods, with at least 12 civilians injured so far. Authorities warned that the casualty figure could rise as rescue teams continue to search damaged buildings and clear debris.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assault, calling it “another deliberate attempt to terrorize civilians and weaken Ukraine’s resilience.” In a statement, he urged Western allies to accelerate deliveries of air-defense systems, saying the latest attack once again exposed Ukraine’s urgent need for stronger protection of its skies.

The Kremlin has not yet issued an official response, but Russian state media claimed the strikes were aimed at “military and strategic targets,” part of what Moscow describes as its ongoing campaign to disrupt Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Analysts, however, say the scale and timing of the attack suggest a broader message — both to Kyiv and to Western supporters — that Russia remains willing to escalate despite diplomatic efforts to cool tensions.

The assault comes as fighting continues along several front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine, where Russian and Ukrainian forces have been locked in intense battles for weeks. Military experts believe the latest wave of airstrikes may be designed to soften Ukrainian positions ahead of renewed ground offensives.

As daylight breaks, Ukrainians are once again assessing the damage and counting the cost of another long night of war. For many, the latest barrage underscores a grim reality: the conflict shows no signs of slowing, and the risk to civilians remains as high as ever.

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