Russian Missile Barrage Kills Civilians as Ukraine Intensifies Drone Strikes Inside Russia

Russia launched one of its largest missile and drone assaults on Ukraine in recent weeks, killing at least eight civilians, including three children, and injuring dozens across several regions. The overnight attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was preparing a “massive” strike, with more than 70 missiles and 280 drones reportedly launched at targets across the country.

The attacks struck Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava and Kryvyi Rih, damaging homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. Ukrainian officials said air defence systems intercepted many of the incoming missiles and drones, but several projectiles reached their targets, causing fatalities and widespread destruction. Poland also scrambled fighter jets after one missile briefly violated its airspace, underscoring concerns that the conflict could spill beyond Ukraine’s borders.

At the same time, Ukraine stepped up its long-range drone campaign inside Russia, targeting warehouses owned by Wildberries, the country’s largest online retailer. Fires broke out at logistics facilities in multiple regions, with Ukrainian officials arguing the sites support Russia’s military supply chain. The strikes are part of Kyiv’s broader strategy of disrupting Russian logistics and economic infrastructure far from the battlefield.

The latest escalation comes as Zelenskyy seeks additional military support from Western allies, particularly advanced air defence systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. Ukrainian officials have warned that shortages of interceptor missiles are leaving cities increasingly vulnerable to large-scale aerial attacks.

The renewed exchanges highlight the intensifying nature of the war, with both sides expanding their operations beyond traditional front lines. While Russia continues to target Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones, Ukraine is increasingly striking strategic infrastructure deep inside Russian territory, raising concerns that the conflict is entering an even more destructive phase with growing regional security implications.