Russian Missile and Drone Barrage Kills at Least 24 in Ukraine; Zelenskyy Condemns ‘Vile’ Strikes
At least 24 people were killed in Ukraine after Russia launched a major overnight barrage of missiles and drones across several regions, Ukrainian officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as among Russia’s most “vile” strikes.
The heaviest casualties were reported in the northern city of Pryluky in Chernihiv region, where a Russian missile destroyed parts of a five-storey residential building. Local officials said at least 18 people, including four children, were killed there, while dozens more were injured.
The attacks also caused deaths in Kyiv, Oleksandria and Kremenchuk, according to Ukrainian authorities. AP later reported that the overall civilian death toll had reached at least 25, including five children, while around 100 people were wounded. The figures were continuing to be updated as rescue teams searched damaged buildings.
Russia launches large-scale overnight attack
According to Zelenskyy, Russia launched around 70 missiles along with dozens of Shahed attack drones during the overnight assault.
Ukraine’s Air Force said it intercepted more than 80% of 46 jet-powered drones involved in the attack. However, Ukrainian officials said ballistic missiles remained a major challenge for the country’s air-defence network.
The strikes hit multiple areas, including Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava and Kharkiv regions. Industrial facilities, residential buildings and energy-related infrastructure were among the sites affected.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out a “massive strike” against military-industrial facilities. Moscow said the targets included facilities connected to the production and storage of Ukrainian missiles and drones, as well as port and ship-repair infrastructure in the Odesa region.
Zelenskyy calls attacks ‘vile’
Zelenskyy described the bombardment as one of the most “vile” Russian attacks and said Moscow wanted to strike Ukraine “painfully and demonstratively.”
The Ukrainian president also renewed his appeal for additional air-defence systems, particularly Patriot interceptors, saying ballistic missiles remained one of the country’s greatest threats.
Kyiv residents took shelter in underground metro stations during the overnight attack as explosions were heard across the capital.
Residential areas hit
The destruction in Pryluky was particularly severe. Rescue workers searched through the remains of the apartment building for survivors and victims.
AP reported that five children were among those killed in the residential building, including three who were just one year old and another who was eight. Ukrainian authorities said the rescue operation continued as emergency workers searched the rubble.
The attack came as Ukraine faces growing pressure on its air-defence capabilities. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called for additional Western air-defence systems to protect cities and critical infrastructure from Russian missile and drone attacks.
Ukraine reports strikes inside Russia
Ukraine also carried out attacks against targets inside Russia, according to Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian president said Ukrainian forces struck oil facilities and a military training site in Russia’s Perm, Samara and Astrakhan regions. Russian officials did not immediately provide a detailed response to those claims.
The latest exchange of attacks highlights the continuing intensity of the war, with both sides increasingly targeting infrastructure and military-related facilities far from the main battlefield.
The casualty figures and damage assessment could change as emergency crews complete their work and authorities receive reports from affected areas.
