Kyiv endured a harrowing night of drone and missile strikes as Russia launched a record-breaking aerial assault across Ukraine, killing one person and injuring at least 26 others. The attack, which lasted for eight relentless hours, forced thousands of residents to seek shelter in underground bunkers, metro stations, and parking garages.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister described the ordeal as an “absolutely horrible and sleepless night,” echoing the exhaustion and fear that gripped the capital.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched over 550 drones—72 of which penetrated air defenses—making it the most intense drone attack since the war began in 2022.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assault as one of the most “brutal and cynical” yet, highlighting the timing of the air raids, which coincided with reports of a phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky interpreted the attack as a blatant signal that Moscow has no interest in peace. He reiterated his call for the international community to impose severe economic sanctions and increase pressure on Russia, stating that only strong and immediate consequences could curb such aggression.
The airstrikes caused extensive damage to Kyiv’s infrastructure, including schools, businesses, ambulances, and railway systems. The Polish consulate was also struck, prompting Poland’s Foreign Minister to call for immediate reinforcement of Ukraine’s air defense and tougher sanctions on Russia.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Environmental Protection warned residents of dangerously high pollution levels following the strikes and advised people to remain indoors with air purifiers running at maximum capacity.
Adding to the complexity, shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine have recently stalled. A German official said Berlin is now negotiating with the U.S. to acquire Patriot missile systems for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the commander of Ukraine’s drone forces warned that Russia’s use of long-range drones could soon exceed 1,000 per day, potentially intensifying the conflict even further.
In a chilling echo of the devastation in Ukraine, Russia also reported that a woman was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike near the border, underscoring the deepening tit-for-tat nature of the conflict.