Russia Launches Massive Overnight Air Attack on Ukraine, Killing at Least 12

At least 12 people, including three children, were killed in one of the heaviest aerial assaults on Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukrainian officials confirmed Sunday.

The overnight barrage saw Russian forces deploy a staggering 298 drones and 69 missiles across Ukraine, with deadly strikes reported in multiple regions. According to Ukraine’s air force, 266 drones and 45 missiles were intercepted and destroyed by air defences, but several projectiles broke through, causing significant casualties and damage.

Among the victims were three children—aged 8, 12, and 17—killed in the western city of Zhytomyr. Four people lost their lives in the Kyiv region, one in the southern city of Mykolaiv, and four in the western Khmelnytskyi region.

The capital, Kyiv, bore the brunt of the attack. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that the city was “under attack” but assured residents that air defence systems were functioning effectively. However, explosions and air raid sirens echoed throughout the night, leaving many shaken.

“This was the most massive strike in terms of the number of air attack weapons used against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began,” said Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, speaking to the Associated Press.

In retaliation, Ukraine reportedly launched drone attacks deep into Russian territory. Russia’s defence ministry claimed to have intercepted 110 Ukrainian drones, including 13 over the Moscow and Tver regions. There were no immediate reports of casualties on Russian soil, but authorities imposed restrictions on at least four airports, including Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport.

The escalation in aerial warfare follows a large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine just a day earlier. Despite this rare act of cooperation, hopes for a broader ceasefire remain dim, with both sides locked in a deadly and drawn-out conflict.

The previous night also saw a heavy Russian drone and missile assault on Kyiv, injuring at least 15 people, underscoring the intensifying nature of the war as it enters its third year with no end in sight.