Russia launched a large-scale overnight assault on Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. At least 12 people, including three children, were killed and dozens more injured across various regions.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia deployed 367 missiles and drones, hitting 22 locations and impacting most of the country. This follows another major strike just 48 hours earlier that left 13 people dead, highlighting the intensifying nature of the conflict.
Major cities such as Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, and Mykolaiv experienced fatalities and infrastructure damage. Kyiv alone saw four deaths and 16 injuries, while Zhytomyr reported the deaths of three children. Residential buildings, dormitories, and private homes were damaged or destroyed, and hundreds of civilians sought shelter in metro stations as air raid sirens blared. Fires broke out across several sites, adding to the chaos and destruction.
In response to the Ukrainian counterattacks, Russia claimed to have intercepted over 110 Ukrainian drones across its territory, including in Crimea and near Moscow. Although drone debris caused some property damage, no injuries were reported in Russia. These reciprocal strikes come during a period of intensified military activity despite ongoing prisoner exchanges and preliminary diplomatic engagements between the two nations.
The attacks occur against the backdrop of renewed diplomatic efforts. Ukraine and Russia have recently conducted the largest prisoner exchange since the war began, with each side returning hundreds of soldiers and civilians. A second round of exchanges is expected, totaling 1,000 prisoners each. Meanwhile, a phone call between US President Donald Trump and President Putin led to a proposal for a ceasefire, but Moscow has only agreed to work on a future memorandum, declining to commit to an immediate 30-day truce.
