Overview
- A massive Russian overnight attack on Ukrainian cities produced confirmed civilian deaths and dozens of injuries, with Ukrainian officials reporting dozens of missile and hundreds of drone launches during the assault.
- Ukraine carried out long-range drone strikes inside Russia that hit energy and military sites in Saint Petersburg on the opening day of its economic forum, causing infrastructure damage, temporary airport closures, and reported injuries.
- Both sides claim high interception totals: Ukraine said it shot down large numbers of incoming drones and missiles during Russian strikes, while Russia reported hundreds of Ukrainian drones downed over its territory in recent nights.
- Pro‑Russian local authorities reported a separate Ukrainian drone strike on a bus near Donetsk that killed civilians, and Russian-held Crimean officials said Ukrainian strikes also caused deaths there, increasing the conflict's toll on noncombatants.
- Diplomatic talks remain stalled as Kyiv presses for more Western air-defence systems and Western officials warn the cycle of deep strikes raises the risk of wider escalation and further harm to civilians and infrastructure.