Massive overnight Russian strikes hit Ukraine killing at least five
At least five people were killed and dozens more injured after Russia launched a major overnight attack on cities across Ukraine, with four fatalities reported in Dnipro and one in Kyiv. The strikes, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, left 16 people wounded in Dnipro and at least 29 injured in the capital, where thousands sought shelter as large plumes of smoke rose from the city centre. Air raid warnings remained in effect across most of Ukraine as the assault unfolded.
Details of the attack and casualties
In Dnipro, four people were killed and 16 others were injured as Russian strikes hit the city. In Kyiv, at least one person died and 29 were wounded following the bombardment, according to local authorities. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to remain in shelters, confirming that two high-rise apartment buildings had been struck. The head of Kyiv's City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, stated: "The enemy is striking with ballistic missiles." Rescuers fear that people may be trapped under the rubble of the damaged buildings.
Impact on infrastructure and civilian life
As the Russian attacks hit Kyiv through the early morning, the buzz of drones could be heard between more than a dozen loud explosions as strikes made impact. Blackouts and fires have been reported across the city, and the full extent of the damage remains unclear. An industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia was also targeted in the assault. Thousands of residents in the capital took shelter as large plumes of smoke rose from the city's centre, with air raid warnings in place across most of Ukraine.
Warning from Ukrainian leadership and Russian threats
The attacks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday reiterated warnings of a possible massive Russian strike and urged residents to pay special attention to air raid alerts. "Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible, they have prepared one," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. Last week, Moscow warned it would launch "systematic strikes" on Ukraine in response to a drone strike last month on a dormitory in Ukraine's Russian-held Luhansk region which killed 21 people. Russia also stated it would target military and decision-making centres in Kyiv and urged foreign nationals to leave the city.
Ukrainian military response and regional context
In a statement, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed it did carry out an attack near Starobilsk on the night of 21-22 May, but maintains that it struck a Russian military unit. The overnight bombardment follows an earlier pattern of Russian threats and retaliatory strikes. Ukraine has been using artificial intelligence-equipped drones to strike vital convoys supplying Russian troops, according to recent reports. The attacks also come amid heightened tensions, with residents in a Romanian city recently hit by drone debris expressing fears about safety.
Context
This latest wave of strikes follows a pattern of Russian retaliation after the May drone attack on a dormitory in the Russian-held Luhansk region, which killed 21 people. Similar threats of systematic strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and decision-making centres were issued by Moscow last week, alongside warnings for foreign nationals to leave Kyiv. The situation mirrors earlier incidents where Russia escalated its bombardment of Ukrainian cities following perceived provocations, such as the February 2025 strikes on energy facilities after drone attacks on Russian border regions.