In a significant overnight assault, Russia unleashed a wave of nearly 90 drones across Ukrainian territory, injuring several civilians and igniting fires in multiple cities, including the capital Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities reported that the barrage caused widespread destruction to both homes and businesses, further straining already embattled urban centers.

According to Ukraine’s air force, defensive systems successfully intercepted 56 out of the 88 drones launched by Russian forces. Additionally, they stated that 24 drones were neutralized using electronic warfare, having been diverted off course rather than destroyed. These tactics highlight Ukraine’s evolving and increasingly sophisticated methods of countering aerial threats, especially as drone warfare becomes more prominent in the conflict.

In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that three people were wounded by falling debris from downed drones. The impact was especially severe in parts of the city where a private home was completely destroyed and several commercial structures suffered extensive damage. Fires erupted in multiple locations, with emergency services working through the night to bring the blazes under control.

Elsewhere in the country, the city of Kharkiv in the northeast also came under attack. Mayor Ihor Terekhov stated that one person was injured there. Although not as severely affected as Kyiv, the strikes added to the growing toll on civilians in the region, which has faced repeated aerial assaults in recent months.

Further south and towards the center of the country, additional drone damage was reported. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, local authorities confirmed that both homes and business premises sustained varying levels of destruction. Meanwhile, military officials reported more infrastructure damage in the southern port region of Odesa, though the full extent was not immediately clear.

This latest drone campaign underscores Russia's continued use of unmanned aerial attacks to pressure Ukrainian defences and disrupt civilian life. The strikes come amid an ongoing escalation in hostilities as both sides prepare for renewed offensives. Ukrainian officials have reiterated calls for enhanced Western support, including advanced air defence systems, to better protect cities and minimize civilian harm.