At least 18 people were killed after Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone attack on Ukrainian cities, officials said on Tuesday. The strikes are significant as they mark one of the largest coordinated aerial assaults in recent weeks. Civilians in Kyiv, Dnipro, and other cities were directly affected.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia fired 73 missiles and more than 600 drones in the attack. He described the strikes as a deliberate escalation targeting civilian areas and infrastructure. Ukrainian authorities reported widespread damage to residential buildings and public facilities.
Read more: Russian missile and drone barrage kills nine across Ukraine
According to local officials, at least 12 people were killed in Dnipro and several more in Kyiv. Dozens were injured as high-rise buildings, schools, and clinics were damaged. Emergency services worked through the night to rescue survivors and clear debris from affected areas.
Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted many incoming weapons, but could not stop the full barrage. Officials said the scale of the attack included ballistic and hypersonic missiles, making defence efforts more difficult. Power outages were also reported, affecting tens of thousands of residents.
Read more: Russian drones and missiles strikes kill 10 across Ukraine
The Kremlin said the strikes targeted Ukraine’s defence infrastructure and denied deliberately hitting civilians. Meanwhile, both sides continue to accuse each other of escalating attacks as the war enters a prolonged and destructive phase. International calls for renewed diplomacy have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.