Dnipro: In one of the most intense aerial offensives in recent weeks, Russian forces launched a massive overnight barrage of drones and missiles targeting the Ukrainian city of Dnipro and surrounding areas, killing at least three civilians and wounding six others. The attack, which took place in the early hours of Friday, marks another grim escalation in the ongoing war that has now entered its third year.
According to Dnipropetrovsk Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak, the city was hit by a combination of 235 drones and 27 missiles. Of these, 25 drones and 10 missiles managed to bypass Ukraine’s air defenses, striking nine different locations across the region. Homes were destroyed, businesses reduced to rubble, and fires broke out in several areas following the attack. Emergency services worked through the night to contain the damage and rescue trapped civilians.
“This was a terrible night,” Governor Lysak said in a statement. “The enemy struck indiscriminately, and we mourn the loss of innocent lives. Dnipro has once again become a frontline in Russia’s war against Ukraine’s people.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reacted swiftly, condemning the attack and warning of a strong counter-response. In a televised address, Zelenskiy announced that Ukrainian forces will now target key Russian military facilities, logistical bases, and airports as part of a wider strategy to impose costs on Moscow. “The aggressor must feel the consequences of every missile and drone it sends toward our cities,” he declared.
The strike on Dnipro comes amid a broader intensification of hostilities along Ukraine’s eastern and southern fronts. Over the past month, both sides have increased aerial and artillery exchanges, signaling a possible shift in momentum. The Ukrainian military has continued its counteroffensive operations in several sectors while also ramping up drone attacks on Russian-held territories and supply depots.
Dnipro, a strategically important city in central Ukraine, has been a frequent target of Russian strikes due to its critical role as a logistical and humanitarian hub. Located between the eastern war zones and Kyiv, the city is often used for transporting troops, medical supplies, and displaced civilians.
The Kremlin has not issued an official statement regarding the latest strike. However, Ukrainian defense analysts believe the scale of the operation reflects Moscow’s ongoing efforts to weaken morale and overwhelm Ukraine’s air defense systems through sustained aerial assaults.
International reactions are expected to follow, with NATO allies and European Union officials likely to renew calls for increased military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. The attack also raises further concerns about the safety of civilians as urban centers continue to be drawn into the line of fire.
As Ukraine mourns the loss of life in Dnipro, the government’s message remains one of resilience and defiance. The promise of retaliation signals not only military determination but also a political warning that Ukraine will not be cowed into silence, even under the shadow of devastation.