Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Assault

MOSCOW: (Web Desk) – Russia carried out one of its largest aerial assaults on Ukraine early Tuesday, launching hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in a coordinated overnight attack that left at least 11 people dead and many others injured.

The strikes came after warnings from Ukrainian officials that Moscow was preparing another major offensive against key cities. The latest barrage marks a further escalation in a conflict that has entered its fifth year with no clear path toward peace.

Residents across Kyiv spent the night under air raid alerts as explosions echoed throughout the capital. Many sought refuge in underground metro stations, carrying blankets and emergency supplies while air defense systems worked to intercept incoming threats.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 656 drones and 73 missiles during the attack. Military officials said air defense units successfully intercepted 602 drones and 40 missiles before they reached their intended targets.

Russia’s Defense Ministry later confirmed carrying out a large-scale strike, claiming the operation targeted Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities and included the use of hypersonic missiles. Moscow continues to deny deliberately targeting civilians.

In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that four people were killed and at least 65 others were injured, including two children. Emergency crews worked through the morning clearing rubble and assisting residents affected by the attack.

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Further south in Dnipro, local authorities said seven people lost their lives and around 35 were wounded after strikes hit the city.

In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 15 people, including a child, suffered injuries as a result of the bombardment.

Journalists on the ground reported seeing large columns of smoke rising over Kyiv at daybreak, while some neighborhoods experienced temporary power outages due to damage caused by the strikes.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continued its cross-border operations. Russian officials said a Ukrainian drone attack killed one person in the Kursk Oblast region, while another drone reportedly caused a fire at an oil refinery in Krasnodar.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that intelligence reports suggested Russia was preparing a major new offensive and urged citizens to follow air raid alerts and seek shelter when necessary.

Zelenskyy has also renewed appeals to international partners for additional air defense systems, particularly Patriot missile batteries, to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to intercept ballistic missile attacks.

The intensifying air war reflects a broader trend. Ukraine has increased strikes on Russian territory and occupied regions, while Russia continues near-daily bombardments across Ukraine. Recent military data shows Moscow significantly expanded its drone campaign in recent months, further increasing pressure on Ukrainian air defenses.