As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Ottawa for talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Russia and Ukraine continued to exchange heavy fire overnight. At least three people were killed in Russian drone attacks on the northeastern city of Sumy, according to local officials.
Ukraine's Armed Forces reported that Moscow launched 149 drones between Wednesday and Thursday, of which 128 were intercepted. The drones were launched from Russian cities including Kursk and Millerovo, as well as from the occupied Donetsk region and Hvardiiske in Crimea, striking 13 locations across Ukraine.
In Sumy, a late-night attack on a shopping centre car park killed three people and wounded 14, including a teenager, said Oleh Hryhorov, head of the Sumy Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram. In Kharkiv, at least two people were injured after drones damaged residential buildings, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. In Kryvyi Rih, a large-scale strike on a residential building left two people in critical condition, reported Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's defence council.
In the western city of Khmelnytskyi, four firefighters were hospitalised after responding to a blaze at a market caused by falling drone debris. Officials said the firefighters were injured in a secondary explosion.
Deep strike inside Russia
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces said they had carried out their deepest strike inside Russian territory to date. Drones travelled approximately 3,000 km to target two gas condensate plants — Novy Urengoy and Purovsky — in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, one of Russia's key oil and gas regions. Ukrainian media also reported drone attacks on the Republic of Dagestan, and Russian authorities said the southern coastal city of Sochi came under attack by Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels, sparking multiple fires. Residents of Makhachkala, a Caspian port city, reported explosions and a lack of air raid warnings.
The strikes underscore the expanding reach of Ukraine's drone campaign, which has increasingly targeted Russian energy infrastructure. This follows a pattern of record closures at Russian airports as Kyiv's forces press the war deeper into Russian territory.
Zelenskyy seeks closer ties with Canada
Zelenskyy's visit to Canada is part of his broader diplomatic push to secure sustained support from allies. According to a statement from Carney's office, the talks will focus on "shared priorities between Canada and Ukraine, including deepening defence, economic, and energy cooperation." Carney added: "It will also address the human cost of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and build on the strong people-to-people ties that connect our countries." He reiterated that Canada "remains steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine's defence, recovery, and reconstruction."
The visit comes amid heightened security concerns for the Ukrainian leader. Earlier this year, a Russian drone came close to Zelenskyy's plane over Moldova, an incident that sharpened Europe's defence debate. The episode underscored the vulnerabilities faced by Ukrainian officials even when travelling abroad.
Zelenskyy's diplomatic efforts are unfolding against a backdrop of ongoing discussions in Brussels about how to finance Ukraine's defence. The European Union has been exploring ways to use frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv, a move that has faced legal challenges from Hungary. An EU court recently rejected Hungary's challenge to such aid, clearing the way for potential new funding mechanisms.
As the war grinds on, the human toll continues to mount. The overnight attacks on Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kryvyi Rih are a stark reminder of the daily cost for Ukrainian civilians. Meanwhile, Ukraine's ability to strike deep inside Russia signals a new phase in the conflict, one that could have broader implications for energy markets and regional security.
