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Russia says it launched a ‘massive’ overnight strike on 9 Ukrainian cities
Moscow said the strikes hit military-related infrastructure, while Ukraine said nearly 90% of the 258 drones and seven missiles were intercepted.
On Thursday, Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone barrage targeting Kyiv, Odesa, and other Ukrainian regions, with Ukrainian authorities reporting coordinated strikes throughout the night.
Russia has escalated air strikes in recent months, exposing vulnerabilities in Ukraine's air defenses while Kyiv remains short of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors despite recently receiving a small batch.
Ukraine's air force intercepted nearly 90% of 258 drones and seven ballistic missiles, along with one Oniks anti-ship cruise missile. Explosions nonetheless damaged energy facilities, ports, and industrial sites across regions.
Attacks caused injuries across Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa, while infrastructure damage cut power to seven settlements in Poltava. Five drones crossed into Moldova's airspace, signaling regional spillover risks.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged allies for additional air defense support, stating, "Everything that strengthens the protection of our skies effectively saves the lives of Ukrainians every day." He noted recent European decisions to strengthen defenses.