In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile assault on multiple Ukrainian cities early Friday, just days after Ukraine carried out a major strike on Russian air bases. The Kremlin claimed the attack was in retaliation for what it described as “terrorist acts by the Kyiv regime,” targeting what it says were military sites.
Ukrainian authorities reported that five people were killed and 80 injured in the overnight onslaught. The strikes hit Kyiv, Chernihiv, Lutsk, and Ternopil, with widespread destruction reported. In the capital, at least three of the victims were members of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (DSNS). Air raid sirens blared throughout Kyiv as residents sought shelter in underground bunkers, while machine gun fire and explosions echoed across the city as Ukrainian air defenses worked to intercept incoming drones and missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia launched more than 400 drones, along with 38 cruise missiles. He condemned the attack and called on the international community—particularly the United States and Europe—to intensify pressure on Russia. “If someone is not applying pressure and is giving the war more time to take lives – that is complicity and accountability,” he said.
The attack came shortly after Ukraine’s security service (SBU) executed what it described as its largest long-range drone operation to date, targeting at least 40 Russian warplanes across four military bases. Ukraine claimed the operation, named “Spider Web,” successfully struck 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers.
Meanwhile, Moscow reported downing 174 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and occupied Crimea. Russian defense officials also claimed to have intercepted Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles over the Black Sea. The Russian Defense Ministry stated the strike was carried out using “high-precision long-range air, sea, and ground-based weapons, as well as attack drones.”
The situation has drawn international attention, especially following comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump. In remarks on Friday, Trump appeared to shift blame toward Ukraine, saying they gave President Vladimir Putin “a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them last night.”
Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov defended the Kremlin’s actions, framing the war in Ukraine as an “existential” matter for Russia. “This is an issue of our national interests, an issue of our security,” he said.
The conflict continues to escalate with no clear path to de-escalation in sight, as both sides trade blows across military and civilian targets alike.