Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Strikes on Ukraine After Kyiv’s Deep Drone Attacks Inside Russia
Following a Ukrainian strike deep inside Russia, Russia launched a massive overnight drone and missile attack on Ukraine, significantly escalating the conflict.
Kyiv, Ukraine (WE) — Russia launched a massive overnight aerial bombardment on Ukraine, delivering one of the most intense attacks of the three-year war. The strikes hit six regions, lasted for hours, and killed at least four people. The attack injured around 50 others. Among the dead were three emergency workers in Kyiv and a person pulled from rubble in the northwest.
The attack followed Ukraine’s drone strike on Russian military airfields deep inside Russia. That surprise move embarrassed the Kremlin and drew swift retaliation. Former U.S. President Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin told him Russia would respond to the Ukrainian action. Trump also stated it might be better to let both countries “fight for a while” before trying to make peace. This marked a notable shift from his earlier push to end the war quickly.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, major cities have faced regular bombardment. According to the United Nations, more than 12,000 civilians have been killed. “Russia doesn’t change its stripes,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Two rounds of peace talks, led by U.S. diplomats, have so far failed. Ukraine offered an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and proposed a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. The Kremlin rejected the offer and held firm to its demands. The Institute for the Study of War said Russia keeps pretending to want peace while refusing to offer any real concessions.
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators plan to hold more talks in the coming weeks. Officials from both sides have also scheduled another exchange of prisoners.
Ukrainian officials said Russia launched 407 drones and 44 missiles in the latest attack. About 30 cruise missiles and nearly 200 drones were shot down, according to air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat. Many others got through.
The three emergency workers in Kyiv died while responding to the strike. “They were working under fire to help people,” said the Interior Ministry.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it used long-range precision weapons to strike Ukrainian military targets. It claimed it hit drone factories, arms depots, and repair sites. Russian forces also hit civilian areas. They have followed this pattern throughout the war.
Associated Press reporters saw damage to apartment buildings and non-military areas. Explosions in Kyiv lasted for hours. Fires broke out across several districts as falling drone debris ignited flames. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Administration, urged people to shelter.
Vitalina Vasylchenko, 14, described what happened. She was in a parking garage with her mom and 6-year-old sister. “I heard a buzzing sound, then my dad ran and covered me. Then there was a loud explosion,” she said. “My whole life flashed before my eyes. I thought that was it.”
In Solomyanskyi, a fire broke out on the 11th floor of a 16-story building. Three people were rescued. Some areas of Kyiv lost power. On the eastern bank, over 2,000 homes were without electricity.
The city of Ternopil in western Ukraine was also hit. Ten people were injured. The strike damaged factories and infrastructure. It also disrupted power and water supply, said regional governor Viacheslav Nehoda.
Other regions hit included Lviv, Khmelnytskyi, Chernihiv, and Poltava. Russian strikes injured at least three more people in these areas.
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Russia also came under attack. In Moscow, air defenses shot down 10 Ukrainian drones early Friday. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said authorities suspended flights at the city’s airports twice — once overnight and again on Friday afternoon.
Ukrainian drones targeted other Russian regions as well. Officials reported damage to homes and factories. The drone attacks injured three people.
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses shot down 174 drones across 13 regions.
It also said its forces intercepted three Neptune missiles over the Black Sea.
Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed it had struck Russian airfields, fuel tanks, and transport hubs. In Belgorod, a train derailed after an explosion damaged the track. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Ukraine was behind the sabotage. Russia has blamed Ukraine for attacks on its rail system in recent months.
This wave of violence shows how far both sides are from peace. The drone strikes inside Russia have pushed Moscow to retaliate harshly. Ukraine continues to expand its offensive capabilities. Both countries are showing no signs of pulling back.
Internationally, the war has created sharp divisions. The United States and European Union have provided weapons and aid to Ukraine. Russia faces heavy sanctions and global condemnation. Yet it continues to press forward with its goals.
Efforts to end the war are ongoing. But few expect a breakthrough soon. The core issues — including territory, sovereignty, and trust — remain unresolved. The Council on Foreign Relations and International Crisis Group say any solution will take time and likely require outside mediation.
For now, the war rages on. The latest attack shows the price Ukrainians continue to pay. It also reveals the limits of diplomacy in the face of deeply rooted conflict. As both sides prepare for another round of negotiations, the world watches and hopes for a path to peace — even as the violence continues to escalate.
