Russia Launches Deadly Drone and Missile Strikes in Ukraine, Kyiv Reports

On Monday, Russia launched a large-scale attack across Ukraine, utilizing drones as well as cruise and ballistic missiles that targeted at least 15 different regions, according to Ukrainian officials.

Kira Rudick, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, described the situation in Kyiv as “unbelievable horror,” pleading for prayers. She later remarked, “What happened today? Nightmare.”

As the devastating attack unfolded, many residents in Kyiv sought refuge in subway stations. Olga Stefanishyna, the deputy prime minister, shared local news footage showing crowds huddled on train platforms.

The strikes began early in the morning and impacted various regions, with Kyiv being one of the hardest-hit areas. The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that attack drones were striking from multiple directions.

The administration also noted that air defense forces had intercepted around 15 enemy drones aimed at the capital. An air alert was reported to have been in effect for more than six hours during the assault.

This attack came on the heels of Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations held just two days prior. On that day, Russia had already targeted key Ukrainian infrastructure, causing widespread power outages. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv stepped in to assist with restoring electricity following what was termed Russia’s “barbaric attacks.”

According to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, Russia’s attacks on Monday specifically targeted energy infrastructure, with the intent to terrorize the nation and deprive citizens of electricity. Engineers were working diligently midmorning to restore power to affected areas.

Andrii Yermak, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed that Russia’s destructive aim regarding Ukraine’s energy supplies would ultimately come at a steep cost to Russian infrastructure.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that a “massive strike with long-range precision weapons” had been executed, including some missiles launched from naval vessels. They stated that drones were deployed to target critical energy facilities that underpinned Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.

The ministry claimed that all intended targets had been successfully struck.

Tragically, the attack resulted in at least one fatality in the Dnipropetrovsk region, as confirmed by the Ukrainian Emergency Service. Reports indicated that two houses were destroyed and four others sustained damage. A fire was ongoing by the time emergency response teams arrived. The service reported that a man born in 1955 lost his life due to the attack, while another individual trapped under rubble was rescued.

Video footage from around the country depicted the chaos following the strikes, revealing extensive damage and scenes of emergency responders battling fires. Dozens were reportedly injured, marking this as one of the most significant aerial assaults since the onset of the war in 2022, with more than 100 missiles and an equal number of drones being launched.

President Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, asserting that they were once again aimed at critical civilian infrastructure. He stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin could act only within the confines of what the global community allows him.

In addition to Kyiv, a residential building in Lutsk was hit at around 8:30 a.m., and officials confirmed that three individuals were injured in the Mykolaiv region. Vitaly Kim, head of the regional military administration, reassured the public that “everything is under control,” advising residents to keep their devices charged in case of further incidents.