Russia launches massive drone and missile assault on Ukraine

By Stefan J. Bos

Residents in Kyiv were awakened by explosions lighting up the night sky as hundreds of drones and missiles rained down on the capital. Flames rose over several districts as multiple waves of Russian attacks struck the city, forcing people to huddle in rubble-strewn streets outside damaged apartment blocks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least 430 drones and 18 missiles were launched, leaving gaping holes in high-rise buildings. A pregnant woman and several children were among the dozens injured, emergency workers confirmed.

While most of the assault targeted Kyiv, the southern port of Odesa and the northeastern city of Kharkiv were also hit, with several casualties reported in both regions.

Emergency crews raced to reach strike locations, but the scale of the bombardment made it difficult to respond everywhere in time. It was another devastating night in Russia’s nearly four-year-old full-scale war against Ukraine.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said it struck Ukrainian energy facilities and weapons-production sites with what it called “high-precision weapons,” claiming the attacks were retaliation for Ukrainian strikes inside Russia.

Kyiv has intensified its own long-range drone operations deep into Russian territory, targeting oil refineries, depots, and pipelines to undermine what analysts say is Moscow’s biggest source of funding for the war.

On Friday, Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk reportedly halted oil exports following a Ukrainian drone attack, further escalating tensions between the two sides.

Diplomatic efforts led by the United States to end Europe’s largest land conflict since World War Two have so far produced no breakthrough.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump has not ruled out meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin — preferably in Budapest, Hungary — if Moscow signals a genuine willingness to halt its attacks.

As of Friday, there were no signs that the bloodshed would end any time soon.