Russia Executes Largest-Ever Drone Attack on Ukraine, Killing 12 and Injuring Dozens
Russia has launched its most intense drone and missile assault on Ukraine since the war began, killing at least 12 people—three of them children—and injuring over 70 others. Ukrainian officials report this was the highest number of drones and missiles deployed in a single night.
The attacks hit 13 regions and over 30 towns and villages, including the capital Kyiv, where homes and schools were damaged, fires erupted, and residents sought shelter in underground metro stations. One family in Zhytomyr lost three children aged 8, 12, and 17, highlighting the human toll of this escalating violence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike, calling it a "massive, ruthless campaign against civilians." He renewed appeals for Western allies to intensify sanctions and pressure on the Kremlin. "America's silence will only embolden Putin," Zelensky warned, referencing slow international responses.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense claims its attack targeted military infrastructure like airfields and electronic warfare hubs. However, Ukraine describes the operation as a deliberate civilian attack, noting over 80 residential buildings were damaged and 27 fires ignited.
Kyiv suffered significant damage even as it marked its annual city holiday. Explosions echoed across neighborhoods, including near a residential block where a BBC journalist reported destruction close to her home.
On Russia’s side, officials claim 110 Ukrainian drones were intercepted across 12 regions and Crimea. In Moscow, drone debris damaged buildings but caused no casualties.
Amid the violence, a glimmer of diplomacy flickered with a three-day prisoner exchange. Both sides swapped nearly 1,000 captives in what some hoped could be a step toward peace. However, no formal ceasefire has been agreed. Talks between Putin and Trump regarding a U.S.-proposed truce have yielded vague promises but little actionable change.
As Russia ramps up drone production—equipping them with better tech and more explosives—Ukraine’s defense systems are being pushed to their limits. With the war approaching its third year and no end in sight, the international community faces a growing challenge: how long can it afford to watch in silence?