Russian forces launched a large-scale missile and drone barrage across Ukraine overnight, killing at least nine people and wounding dozens more, Ukrainian authorities reported early Tuesday. The strikes targeted multiple cities, including the capital Kyiv, Dnipro, and Kharkiv, as emergency crews worked to assess the damage and extinguish fires.
In Kyiv, multiple explosions were heard across the city, sparking fires in several districts. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's city military administration, confirmed on Telegram that three people had been killed in the capital. The attacks used ballistic missiles, according to Tkachenko. Residents rushed to shelters clutching bags and blankets as a large plume of smoke rose from the city centre.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned residents to stay in shelters, reporting that air defence forces were active. Power was knocked out in several districts of the Ukrainian capital, Klitschko added.
Strikes on Dnipro and Kharkiv
Simultaneously, a Russian attack on the city of Dnipro killed four people, including a 73-year-old woman, according to local governor Oleksandr Ganzha. The number of wounded in Dnipro rose to 16, Ganzha said on Telegram. In Kharkiv, eight people were wounded in the Slobidsky district, regional governor Oleg Synegubov reported.
The overnight attacks come just days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing a massive new strike on the country. “We have intelligence information about Russia preparing a new massive strike,” Zelenskyy said on Friday, urging citizens to “protect your lives.” He emphasized that Ukrainian air defence forces would remain on duty 24/7.
Zelenskyy has reiterated his call to allies to provide and finance Patriot missile systems, which can intercept Russian ballistic missiles. Last week, he wrote to US President Donald Trump and the US Congress, requesting Patriot systems to counter intensifying Russian air attacks. US-mediated efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict have stalled since the outbreak of war in the Middle East, where Washington's attention and resources are currently focused.
In retaliation for the daily Russian bombardments, Ukraine has stepped up its strikes on occupied territories and on Russia itself. Recent Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted Russian oil refineries and military infrastructure, as the war continues to escalate.
The European Union has condemned the latest attacks, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling for increased military support for Ukraine. The bloc has been working to accelerate the delivery of air defence systems and ammunition, though progress has been hampered by political divisions among member states.
As the conflict enters its third year, the human toll continues to mount. The United Nations has recorded over 30,000 civilian casualties since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, with millions displaced. The latest strikes underscore the urgent need for a coordinated European response to protect civilian lives and infrastructure.
