Russia Carries Out Massive Missile and Drone Strike on Kyiv

Overview

• Ukrainian officials said Russia launched about 74 missiles and roughly 496 drones in an overnight offensive that focused on Kyiv and other cities, overwhelming air defenses.
• Rescue teams worked through rubble after strikes damaged dozens of residential and public buildings and local casualty reports varied as counts were reconciled.
• Kyiv says it earlier struck deep Russian targets including a refinery in Ufa and a missile-component facility in Penza as part of a campaign to disrupt Moscow’s fuel and arms logistics.
• President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to Ukraine and renewed urgent appeals for more anti-air systems and production licenses for interceptors while Poland temporarily scrambled fighters to monitor drone risks.
• Analysts warn the exchange marks a sharper reciprocal phase of the war that is straining air defenses, raising civilian harm and risking wider regional spillovers as leaders debate further military aid.