Russia conducted one of its most intense aerial bombardments of Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, deploying more than 600 drones and 47 missiles overnight. Ukraine's Armed Forces reported that at least seven people were killed and dozens wounded across 30 locations, with the eastern city of Dnipro bearing the brunt of the assault.
The Ukrainian military said it neutralised 610 of the incoming aerial threats, but strikes and falling debris still hit residential areas, industrial sites, and vehicles. Fires broke out in multiple cities, and search-and-rescue operations continued into Saturday morning.
Dnipro Under Fire for Over Ten Hours
In Dnipro, a city in the Dnipropetrovsk region, the attack lasted more than ten hours. Governor Oleksandr Hanzha described the sustained assault: “The Russians have been hitting Dnipro and other cities and communities practically all night.” At least five people died in a strike on an apartment block, including a nine-year-old boy, and 34 others were injured. Some residents remained trapped under rubble as emergency crews worked through the day.
In the north-eastern Chernihiv region, the city of Nizhyn was also targeted. Two men were killed and two others injured there, while a regional official reported 27 attacks on the region in the past day, leaving seven more people wounded. Other affected areas included Kharkiv, Sumy, Odesa, and the capital Kyiv.
Zelenskyy Calls for Urgent Western Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking during a visit to Azerbaijan, used the attacks to renew his appeal for stronger international backing. “Each such strike must remind our partners that the situation requires immediate and decisive action. We need rapid strengthening of our air defence,” he said. He also urged the European Union to finalise its 21st package of sanctions against Russia. The call comes as EU leaders recently tackled Ukraine, the Hormuz crisis, and mutual defence clause in Cyprus, and as the bloc finalised a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary lifted its veto.
Zelenskyy has consistently pushed for deeper integration, rejecting symbolic EU membership and demanding full integration. The latest attacks underscore the urgency of his requests, as Ukraine's air defence systems remain stretched.
Drone Debris Hits Romania, NATO Scrambles Jets
The assault also spilled over into NATO territory. A drone crashed in a populated area near Galați, Romania, a European Union and NATO member that shares a border with Ukraine. Local authorities evacuated over 200 people after debris from the drone damaged a residential building. Romania's Defence Ministry confirmed the incident, and two British fighter jets were scrambled in response.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan said this marked a worrying escalation. “This is the first incident where Romanian property has actually been damaged, a threshold we take very seriously.” Romania has experienced repeated airspace violations and drone fragment landings since Russia's invasion began, but this is the first time civilian property has been hit.
The incident highlights the broader security risks for Europe. As Ukraine's drone innovation exposes slow defence adaptation across the continent, the need for coordinated air defence and rapid response mechanisms becomes more pressing. The attack also comes amid ongoing debates about EU sanctions and military aid, with some leaders arguing that inaction on other fronts undermines the EU's credibility on Ukraine.
