Russia's Massive Aerial Attack on Ukraine

Russia launched a massive aerial attack on Ukraine overnight, deploying hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles against cities including Ukraine — Kyiv, Ukraine — Dnipro, Ukraine — Kharkiv, Ukraine — Poltava, and Ukraine — Zaporizhzhia. The attacks resulted in at least 18 civilian deaths and over 100 injuries, with residential buildings and civilian infrastructure severely damaged. Emergency crews pulled bodies, including a three-year-old child, from rubble in Ukraine — Dnipro. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and urged the United States and European countries for more air defense support, citing Ukraine's shortage of US-made MIM-104 Patriot systems, partly due to the Iran war. Russian President Vladimir Putin has escalated Moscow's aerial campaign, including the use of the hypersonic Oreshnik (missile) ballistic missile, aiming to gain positive news from the ongoing conflict. Russia's Defence Ministry stated the strikes targeted military-industrial facilities. The attacks have intensified pressure on Vladimir Putin as Ukrainian drones disrupt Russian supply lines and oil facilities.