Russia hits Ukraine with massive wave of drones and missiles, killing at least 16

Russia unleashed a sweeping aerial assault on Ukraine overnight, launching hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in a coordinated barrage that lit up skies from Kyiv to Kharkiv. The attack, one of the largest in nearly two weeks, killed at least 16 people and wounded more than 80, Ukrainian officials confirmed Thursday morning. The assault stretched for hours, overwhelming air defenses in several regions and striking both urban centers and critical infrastructure.

Explosions rocked the capital before dawn, shattering windows and damaging apartment buildings. In Kyiv, emergency crews pulled debris from a collapsed residential structure after a drone hit a five-story building. Other strikes were reported in central and eastern Ukraine, including in Dnipro and Sumy, where fires broke out following impacts. Power outages followed in some areas as authorities worked to assess the full extent of the damage.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a significant number of incoming drones and missiles, but the sheer volume of the attack allowed some to get through. Officials noted that Russia used a mix of Iranian-made Shahed drones and cruise missiles, many of which were aimed at civilian areas. The Interior Ministry said early investigations point to a deliberate effort to target populated zones, not just military sites.

The timing and scale suggest a renewed push by Russian forces to destabilize Ukrainian cities and strain emergency response systems. This wave follows a brief lull in long-range strikes, during which both sides focused on frontline battles in the Donbas. Analysts say the attack may also be an attempt to test Ukraine's air defenses at a time when Western aid, particularly from the United States, has faced delays.

Ukrainian leaders condemned the assault as a war crime and called for faster delivery of air defense systems from allies. "This was not just an attack on buildings - it was an attack on families, on sleep, on normal life," said a spokesperson for President Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, international responses have been swift, with the European Union and NATO issuing statements of condemnation and reaffirming support for Kyiv.

Despite the destruction, there were signs of resilience. Civilian volunteers mobilized before sunrise to assist rescue teams, and power crews worked quickly to restore electricity in affected neighborhoods. Still, the psychological toll is mounting, especially as attacks like this become part of a grinding pattern rather than isolated events.

With the war now in its fifth year, this latest barrage underscores the ongoing vulnerability of Ukrainian cities to long-range strikes. As diplomatic efforts stall and battlefield gains remain incremental, the skies above Ukraine continue to pose one of the greatest daily threats to its people.