At least nine people were killed and dozens more injured after Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack targeting several cities across Ukraine.
The deadliest strikes were reported in Kyiv and Dnipro, where residential areas, industrial facilities and civilian infrastructure were hit during the early hours of Tuesday.
In Dnipro, five people were killed and at least 25 others were injured. In the capital Kyiv, four people lost their lives while at least 51 were wounded, with 35 victims requiring hospital treatment.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two high-rise residential buildings were struck during the assault, raising concerns that additional victims may still be trapped beneath the rubble.
Authorities urged residents to remain in shelters as air raid sirens sounded across much of the country.
“The enemy is striking with ballistic missiles,” said Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s City Military Administration.
Witnesses reported hearing a series of powerful explosions throughout the night as drones buzzed overhead before impacts were recorded across the city. Thick plumes of smoke could be seen rising above central Kyiv following the attacks.
The strikes sparked fires near a petrol station, apartment complexes, residential homes and a construction site. Power disruptions were also reported in parts of the capital.
Elsewhere, an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia was reportedly targeted during the coordinated assault.
The attacks came just one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned citizens to remain alert amid intelligence reports suggesting Russia was preparing a major strike.
“Warnings regarding Russian attacks remain in effect. A massive strike is possible, and preparations have been made,” Zelensky said during his nightly address on Monday.
Russia had earlier vowed to carry out what it described as “systematic strikes” against Ukraine following a drone attack last month on a dormitory in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, where 21 people were reported killed.
Moscow also warned that military and government-linked facilities in Kyiv could be targeted and urged foreign nationals to leave the city.
Ukraine has rejected Russia’s accusations, insisting that its forces targeted a Russian military unit near Starobilsk rather than civilian infrastructure.
Kyiv described Moscow’s warnings as “shameless blackmail” and called on international allies to increase pressure on Russia.
Meanwhile, the conflict showed no signs of easing on Russian territory. Authorities in Russia’s Krasnodar region reported a fire at the Ilsky Oil Refinery following a Ukrainian drone strike. No casualties were reported.
Since the collapse of a temporary ceasefire in May, Russia has intensified its missile and drone campaign against Ukraine, including previous attacks that killed dozens of civilians.
Ukraine has also continued its drone operations against Russian targets, with a recent strike in the Moscow region reportedly killing three people. Zelensky defended such actions as a justified response to continued Russian attacks.
The latest barrage highlights the escalating intensity of the conflict as both sides continue exchanging attacks despite international calls for de-escalation.
