Russia Launches Massive Overnight Missile and Drone Attack on Ukraine

Russia launched one of its most widespread overnight missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, with air raid sirens sounding across nearly the entire country on the night of Wednesday to Thursday. Ukrainian forces faced a massive combined assault using over 70 cruise missiles, ballistic rockets, and more than 280 attack drones, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Civilian Areas Hit Across the Country

Zelensky reported that dozens of ordinary residential homes, civilian businesses and infrastructure facilities were destroyed or damaged. Western parts of Ukraine, far from the Russian border, were also struck — a sign that Russian forces aimed to overload Ukraine's air-defense systems simultaneously across the country.

The worst single strike hit a residential building in a suburb of the southern city of Kryvyi Rih, where a rocket destroyed the home of a large family. At least six people were killed there, including two children, according to media reports.

Ukraine's Air Defense Intercepts Most Drones

Ukrainian air defense managed to destroy more than 260 of the 280 incoming drones, Zelensky said. Fighter jets were used to intercept a significant number of cruise missiles. Nevertheless, the sheer scale of the attack overwhelmed defenses in places.

According to initial reports, the total death toll stood at eight people killed and more than 30 injured — figures expected to rise as rescue operations continue.

Zelensky Urges Allies for More Patriot Systems

In a social media statement, Zelensky again highlighted a critical shortage of ammunition for Ukraine's air-defense systems. He renewed his appeal to Western allies to supply modern Patriot systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, saying that Russia's ballistic weapons remained among the hardest threats to counter.

Zelensky had warned on Wednesday of an imminent major aerial assault, citing a briefing from the Ukrainian Air Force chief. The attack came just two days after Zelensky visited Washington and met with US President Donald Trump, reiterating the request for Patriot batteries.