At least 15 people have been killed following a series of Russian attacks across Ukraine, including a missile strike on a drone technology exhibition near Kyiv that left 10 people dead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said around 100 others were injured in the daytime attack on the exhibition, which was attended by figures from the country’s defence sector.
Authorities also reported deaths from Russian attacks in other areas, including five people killed by glide bombs in the eastern city of Sloviansk and two men who died following strikes in the northern city of Sumy.
Zelensky later warned that Ukraine had received intelligence suggesting Russia could launch another major missile attack within the next 48 hours.
The latest strikes came after Ukraine carried out attacks on Russian territory, including a strike in the city of Kirov that killed six people and injured 26 others.
Ukraine also targeted warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, as part of its efforts to disrupt logistics networks linked to Moscow’s military supply chains.
Following the Kyiv attack, concerns were raised over the safety of Ukrainian defence figures Serhiy Beskrestnov, also known as Flash, and Lyuba Shypovych, who has contributed to the development of military technology.
Both later confirmed they were safe, while Beskrestnov said he had avoided attending the event due to security concerns.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuri Ihnat said the attack involved three ballistic missiles, with only one successfully intercepted.
Russia confirmed carrying out the strike, claiming it targeted a location where drones intended for attacks on Russian civilian sites were being demonstrated. Moscow said drone manufacturers, Ukrainian military representatives and security officials involved in planning strikes against Russia were present.
The incident marked at least the third time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 that a Ukrainian drone-related exhibition had been targeted.
The attack has sparked criticism over the decision to hold a public event that was reportedly widely promoted. Zelensky said an investigation was underway to determine who approved the event and whether sufficient security measures had been implemented.
Meanwhile, Zelensky said Ukraine’s strikes on Russia targeted key military-linked facilities, including a factory in Kirov believed to supply components for aircraft and missile systems.
Ukraine has also increased attacks on logistics centres, including Wildberries facilities, arguing that such networks can be used to support Russia’s military operations.
The latest escalation comes as Zelensky is expected to travel to the United States next week for a meeting with US President Donald Trump, as Washington continues efforts to revive peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Separately, Romanian authorities said a Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a Russian drone that entered the country’s airspace, prompting alerts in several eastern and southeastern regions.
