Russia Unleashes Massive Drone and Missile Assault on Ukraine, Dozens Dead and Injured
Russia launched one of its largest combined drone and missile strikes on Ukraine overnight, killing at least three people and injuring dozens more, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack targeted civilian infrastructure, homes, and industrial sites across multiple regions, adding to fears of further escalation in the grinding war now in its third year. (RELATED: Trump Says Putin Has ‘Let Me Down’ on Ukraine Peace, Warns of Record Death Toll)
In a message posted to Telegram, Zelensky said Russian forces fired approximately 580 drones and 40 missiles across the country. Ukraine’s air defense claimed it intercepted 552 drones and 31 missiles, but many still found their targets.
“All night, Ukraine was under a massive attack by Russia,” Zelensky stated. “Every such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to terrorize civilians and destroy our infrastructure.”
In Dnipro, a cluster-munition missile slammed into a residential apartment building, killing one and injuring at least 26. Two more deaths were reported in the Chernihiv and Khmelnytskyi regions, both of which were also struck during the onslaught.
Residents in Kyiv, which was also targeted, described harrowing scenes. “I could hear the ‘Shahed’ [Iranian-made drone] getting closer and closer. I understood it was flying towards us. My child and I were very frightened,” said Yulia Chystokletova, a local woman interviewed by Reuters. “It should not be happening in the 21st century. We are all people.”
Russian officials maintain they do not target civilians. However, the growing frequency and scale of their drone and missile campaigns tell a different story to those under fire.
Eastern Front Heats Up, Ukraine Strikes Back
The attack comes amid intensifying Russian pressure in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow’s troops have been advancing slowly but steadily. Ukrainian military officials say villages and towns are being devastated by continuous artillery barrages and airstrikes as Russian forces grind forward.
To respond, Ukraine has been stepping up its own drone warfare campaign, hitting targets deep inside Russian territory. On the same night as Russia’s assault, Ukrainian drones struck two oil refineries in the Saratov and Samara regions, causing fires and explosions.
“Regarding refineries: we have drones, we know how to produce them,” Zelensky told reporters. “As soon as the number of drones is comparable to that of the Russians, they will feel it in terms of fuel shortages and the number of queues at petrol stations.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed its own strikes, saying they used “high-precision weapons” against Ukrainian military-industrial sites. Ukraine has not confirmed damage to its defense infrastructure.
Tensions Rise Near NATO Border
The strike also sent ripples beyond Ukraine’s borders. Polish military officials confirmed they scrambled allied aircraft early Saturday to protect their airspace after some of the missiles and drones targeted western Ukraine, near the Polish border.
Poland, a NATO member, did not report any damage on its territory, but the proximity of the attacks once again raised concerns over spillover and potential escalation into a broader conflict.
With both sides increasingly relying on unmanned aerial assaults and long-range weapons, the war’s intensity shows no signs of waning. Despite scattered diplomatic efforts to restart negotiations, neither Moscow nor Kyiv appears ready to back down.
“We are prepared,” Zelensky said. “But we need the tools, the support, and the resolve to end this on our terms — with freedom and sovereignty intact.”