Kyiv, Ukraine – In a sustained and coordinated assault, Russia launched a massive aerial attack across Ukraine that lasted six hours overnight. The barrage included nearly 300 attack drones—most of them Iranian-made Shaheds—and approximately 70 missiles of various types, including ballistic missiles. The strikes caused widespread destruction and significant civilian casualties across multiple regions.
Civilian Casualties and Infrastructure Damage
In the Zhytomyr region, three children—aged 8, 12, and 17—were killed when Russian strikes destroyed several private homes. An additional 12 people were injured.
In the Khmelnytskyi region, four people lost their lives. Five others were hospitalized, one of them in critical condition. Residential buildings were leveled, and an educational institution suffered significant damage.
In Mykolaiv, a 77-year-old man was killed, and five more people were injured, including a 17-year-old boy in critical condition. Drones destroyed two floors of a residential apartment building.
In the regions of Ternopil and Sumy, industrial and business facilities were hit. In the city of Konotop (Sumy region), a powerful combined strike knocked out power on several streets and destroyed a key infrastructure facility.
The attacks also affected Kyiv, Chernihiv, Odesa, Poltava, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy, with strikes hitting residential and industrial areas. In Kyiv, university dormitories were damaged, including those belonging to the Faculty of History.
President Zelenskyy Responds
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating that Ukrainian emergency services had responded in more than 30 cities and villages overnight.
“Our emergency services are on the ground, providing assistance and supporting people. Thank you all,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.
“These were deliberate strikes on ordinary cities. Unfortunately, there are casualties, including children. My condolences.”
Zelenskyy also called on the international community to take firmer action:
“Every such Russian terrorist strike is a sufficient reason for new sanctions against Russia. Russia continues killing every day. The world may head into the weekend, but the war continues—regardless of weekdays or holidays.”
He warned that continued silence from the United States and other world powers only emboldens the Kremlin.
“Without truly strong pressure on Russia’s leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped. Sanctions will help. Determination now matters—the determination of the United States, of European countries, and of all who want peace.”
Zelenskyy concluded by urging world leaders to increase pressure on Moscow to force an end to the war.
