Russia Launches Largest Air Strike On Ukraine; 13 Dead, Dozens Injured

In a devastating overnight assault, Russian forces launched 367 drones and missiles across Ukrainian cities, marking the most extensive aerial attack since the onset of the war.

The bombardment resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals - including three children in Zhytomyr - and left dozens injured. Major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Ternopil, and Khmelnytskyi came under fire.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

Ukraine's air force managed to intercept 266 drones and 45 missiles; however, the destruction was huge, with residential buildings and key infrastructure suffering heavy damage.

In Kyiv, 11 people sustained injuries, while four fatalities were reported in Khmelnytskyi. The assault came shortly after another large-scale attack on Friday, which involved drones and ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv.

In the southern city of Mykolaiv, a Russian drone strike killed a 77-year-old man and injured five others, according to the regional governor. The blast left a residential building with a gaping hole, and debris scattered around the area.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticised the United States for what he described as a muted response under former President Donald Trump, and called for stronger sanctions on Russia.

"The silence of America, the silence of others in the world only encourages Putin," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.

He added, "Every such terrorist Russian strike is reason enough for new sanctions against Russia."

Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian president's chief of staff, echoed the sentiment, stating: "Without pressure, nothing will change and Russia and its allies will only build up forces for such murders in Western countries." He added that "Moscow will fight as long as it has the ability to produce weapons."

Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have shot down 95 Ukrainian drones within just four hours, including 12 near Moscow, signalling that the conflict remains unrelenting.

The fresh wave of attacks comes as Ukraine advocates for a 30-day ceasefire aimed at facilitating peace negotiations. Amid the continued hostilities, both nations have reportedly concluded a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals on each side.