Overview
- Ukraine’s air force said Russia fired 659 drones and 44 missiles in waves through Wednesday night into Thursday, with at least 16 people killed and more than 100 injured across several cities.
- Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro took the brunt of the strikes, where a drone hit an 18‑story building in the capital, major fires broke out, and a 12‑year‑old child was among the dead.
- Air defenses downed 636 drones and 31 missiles, but officials said ballistic missiles still broke through because Ukraine lacks enough advanced Patriot interceptor missiles.
- Following Wednesday’s Ukraine Defense Contact Group session, partners confirmed new aid focused on air defense and drones, including Norway’s more than $500 million for drones plus $150 million for logistics and Dutch funding over €200 million, as Kyiv pressed for quick delivery of Patriot munitions.
- Russian officials reported Ukrainian drones struck the Black Sea port area of Tuapse, where they said two children were killed, underscoring tit‑for‑tat strikes that now reach cities, ports, and energy sites with risks for civilian safety and critical infrastructure.