Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults in weeks overnight, firing nearly 700 drones and dozens of missiles at civilian areas across Ukraine and killing at least 16 people while injuring over 80 others.
The strikes hit three cities simultaneously. In Odesa alone nine people were killed and 23 wounded, while Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported 48 people injured in the capital with fires and building collapses reported across multiple districts. Three more people were killed and 34 wounded in Dnipro.
Ukraine’s air force managed to down 636 of 659 drones and 31 of 44 missiles, a remarkably high intercept rate that nonetheless was not enough to prevent widespread destruction across the country.
The attack came just days after Zelenskyy completed an urgent 48-hour tour of Germany, Norway and Italy in search of more Patriot air defence systems, where he repeatedly warned that the Iran war is burning through US weapons stockpiles and limiting what can realistically reach Kyiv at a time when Ukraine needs it most.
Last night Russia made his case for him.
Sources: Al Jazeera · AP · NPR
