Russia Launches War’s Biggest Air Attack on Ukraine, Killing 13 in Massive Drone and Missile Barrage

In the deadliest aerial assault of the war so far, Russia launched a staggering 367 drones and missiles across Ukraine overnight, killing at least 13 people and wounding many more. The attack, which struck multiple cities including the capital Kyiv, has been described by Ukrainian officials as the largest air offensive in terms of sheer volume since the conflict began.

Among the victims were three children in the northern Zhytomyr region, where homes and buildings were reduced to rubble. Across the country, destruction was widespread, with cities like Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Ternopil also hit hard. Khmelnytskyi, a region far from the frontlines, reported four deaths and five injuries.

Ukraine's air force managed to intercept much of the barrage, downing 266 out of 298 drones and 45 out of 69 missiles. Still, the impact on civilian areas was severe. In Kyiv alone, 11 people were injured from falling debris caused by intercepted drones. Four more were killed in surrounding areas. The scale and coordination of the assault left emergency responders scrambling and thousands of civilians rattled.

This marked the second large-scale air raid in as many days. Just the night before, Russian drones and missiles pounded Kyiv through the night. In Kharkiv, drone strikes damaged three districts and left three people injured. Mykolaiv’s governor confirmed that a 77-year-old man died in the attacks and five others were wounded. Pictures from the city showed an apartment building with a gaping hole, surrounded by shattered glass and debris.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack and called on the United States and other global powers to break their silence and impose new sanctions on Moscow. He warned that continued quiet from the West would only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The silence of America, the silence of others in the world only encourages Putin," Zelenskyy said. "Every such terrorist Russian strike is reason enough for new sanctions against Russia."

The air assault came as Ukraine and Russia were preparing for the final phase of a significant prisoner exchange, with each side set to release 1,000 detainees. At the same time, Ukraine and European allies had been pressing for a 30-day ceasefire to pave the way for peace talks. That hope suffered a setback when U.S. President Donald Trump declined to impose new sanctions on Russia for refusing to pause hostilities.

Meanwhile, Moscow reported that its own forces intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones in a four-hour window. The mayor of Moscow claimed that 12 Ukrainian drones were shot down as they approached the Russian capital.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that unless there is consistent international pressure, Russia will continue to escalate its campaign. President Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, warned that Moscow will keep building up its military capabilities as long as it can produce weapons.

"Without pressure, nothing will change and Russia and its allies will only build up forces for such murders in Western countries," Yermak said.

The latest attack underlines how, even three years into the war, the conflict shows no signs of winding down. Instead, both sides appear locked in a cycle of violence that continues to devastate lives and cities across Ukraine.