Kyiv: Ukraine endured one of its most intense nights of bombardment this year as Russian forces unleashed a sweeping assault of drones and missiles across the country, leaving at least three civilians dead and dozens injured. Ukrainian officials described the overnight attack as a deliberate attempt to overwhelm air defenses and inflict damage on both critical infrastructure and residential areas.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Russia had deployed nearly 580 drones and 40 missiles during the assault. While Ukraine’s air defense units managed to intercept the majority 552 drones and 31 missiles several still penetrated defenses, striking apartment blocks, energy sites, and civilian factories. Zelenskiy denounced the barrage as “pure terror,” stressing that Russia’s strategy aimed at exhausting Ukraine’s protective systems while inflicting suffering on ordinary citizens.
The most devastating strike occurred in Dnipro, where a missile carrying cluster munitions slammed into a multi-story residential building. The explosion tore off the roof, shattered windows across several floors, and sparked fires. One person was killed instantly, while at least 26 others were rushed to hospitals with injuries ranging from burns to shrapnel wounds. Images from the site showed rescue workers pulling residents out of debris as smoke billowed above the ruined structure.
Further fatalities were reported in Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine, and Khmelnytskyi, in the west, where two civilians were killed in separate incidents. The scale of the assault triggered air-raid sirens across much of Ukraine, with alerts lasting up to 11 hours in some regions. Local officials said power grids and industrial facilities were also hit, though emergency crews worked quickly to restore basic services.
The attack also caused concern beyond Ukraine’s borders. Poland, monitoring the strikes closely as some activity neared its territory, deployed fighter jets alongside allied aircraft to safeguard its airspace. Polish officials emphasized that the measures were precautionary, but the move underscored fears of escalation spilling into NATO territory.
Zelenskiy used the moment to renew urgent appeals for stronger Western support, particularly advanced air defense systems capable of handling simultaneous waves of drones and missiles. He argued that Ukraine’s defensive struggle is not just about protecting its own cities but also about shielding Europe from Russia’s increasingly aggressive tactics. He also pressed for tighter sanctions against Moscow, saying that Russia’s use of cluster munitions against civilians must draw a firm international response.
Analysts noted that the assault reflects Moscow’s evolving battlefield strategy. By combining large swarms of cheap drones with missile salvos, Russia seeks to saturate Ukraine’s defense systems and create openings for strikes on vital infrastructure. While Ukraine’s defenses have proven resilient, intercepting most threats, the latest casualties highlight the ongoing vulnerabilities of urban centers and the limits of prolonged resistance under constant pressure.
The humanitarian toll continues to mount, with residents enduring sleepless nights in shelters, children traumatized by the sound of sirens, and entire neighborhoods facing months of repair. For many Ukrainians, the latest barrage was not only another test of resilience but also a stark reminder of how the war remains deeply unpredictable, even as international diplomacy struggles to find a breakthrough.