Ukraine says a major overnight barrage of missiles and drones killed civilians, damaged residential buildings and hit energy infrastructure across multiple regions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack that struck Kyiv and several other parts of Ukraine, describing it as one of the “most vile” attacks of the war.
Ukrainian officials said the overnight barrage killed at least 20 people, including children, and injured dozens more. The heaviest casualties were reported in the northern city of Pryluky, where a Russian missile destroyed a five-storey residential building.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out a “massive strike” using high-precision weapons against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities and other targets. Moscow did not acknowledge the civilian casualties reported by Ukrainian authorities.
Zelensky Calls Attack One of the ‘Most Vile’
Zelenskyy said Russia launched 70 missiles, including many ballistic missiles, alongside Shahed drones.
He said the attack was designed to cause extensive damage and that Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was among the main targets.
“The Russians wanted to strike painfully and demonstratively,” Zelenskyy said, describing the assault as one of the most “vile” strikes of the conflict.
The Ukrainian president renewed his appeal to Western allies for additional air-defence systems, particularly Patriot interceptors, saying ballistic missiles remain one of the country’s most difficult threats to counter.
Pryluky Suffers Heavy Civilian Losses
The northern city of Pryluky in the Chernihiv region was among the hardest-hit areas.
A missile struck a five-storey residential building, causing sections of the structure to collapse and trapping residents beneath the rubble. Emergency crews worked through the day to search for survivors and recover victims.
Ukrainian officials reported that children were among those killed in the strike.
The casualty figures changed as rescuers continued working at the site, highlighting the difficulty of establishing a final death toll immediately after a major attack.
Kyiv and Other Cities Also Hit
Kyiv was also targeted during the overnight barrage.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were killed in a fire in the city’s Darnytskyi district. Apartment buildings, warehouses and other structures were damaged in different parts of the capital.
Strikes were also reported in Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia and Oleksandriia.
The attacks affected both residential and industrial infrastructure, while emergency power restrictions were introduced in several regions after damage to energy facilities.
Energy Infrastructure Among Key Targets
Zelenskyy said energy infrastructure was one of the principal targets of the Russian attack.
The strikes come as Ukraine prepares for another winter under wartime conditions and faces continued pressure on its electricity and heating systems.
Damage to energy infrastructure can have consequences beyond the immediate destruction, potentially affecting electricity supplies, heating and essential services as temperatures fall.
Ukraine has repeatedly asked its Western allies for additional air-defence systems to protect energy facilities and major population centres.
Russia Says It Targeted Military Facilities
Russia’s Defence Ministry described the operation differently.
Moscow said its forces conducted a large-scale strike against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, missile and drone production and storage sites, as well as port and ship-repair infrastructure in the Odesa region.
The Russian government has consistently said its attacks are directed at military or strategically important infrastructure rather than civilians.
Ukraine, however, has accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilian and critical infrastructure.
The competing claims could not be independently verified in every location.
Ukraine Carries Out Retaliatory Strikes
Ukraine also reported attacks against targets inside Russia following the overnight barrage.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had struck several facilities that Kyiv considers important to Russia’s ability to finance or conduct the war, including oil facilities and a military training ground in the Perm, Samara and Astrakhan regions.
The exchange reflects the increasingly intensive long-range drone and missile campaign being conducted by both sides.
Air Defence Remains a Major Concern
Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian missiles remains a central issue.
Ukrainian officials said their forces managed to destroy or intercept many incoming drones, but ballistic missiles remain particularly difficult to stop. Reuters reported that more than 80% of 46 jet-powered drones launched during the attack were intercepted, while ballistic missiles posed a greater challenge.
Zelenskyy said additional air-defence systems are urgently needed and again called on Ukraine’s partners to provide more capabilities.
The shortage of interceptor missiles has become an increasingly important concern as Russia expands its use of large-scale aerial attacks.
Attack Comes as Putin Turns 74
The strikes occurred on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 74th birthday.
Zelenskyy referred to the destruction in Pryluky as a “birthday gift” to Putin, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also criticized Moscow over the timing of the attack.
The timing has added political significance to the latest barrage, although Russia has not said that the strikes were connected to Putin’s birthday.
What Happens Next?
Ukraine’s immediate priority is continuing rescue operations, repairing damaged infrastructure and restoring electricity in affected areas.
The latest attack is also likely to increase pressure on Western governments to provide Ukraine with additional air-defence ammunition and systems.
Meanwhile, Russia has indicated that it intends to continue targeting Ukrainian military and industrial infrastructure, meaning further aerial attacks remain a possibility.
Conclusion
The latest Russian missile and drone barrage has caused significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage across Ukraine, with residential buildings and energy facilities among the affected sites.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as one of the most “vile” of the war and renewed his appeal for stronger air-defence support from Ukraine’s allies.
Russia says its forces targeted military and industrial facilities, while Ukrainian authorities say civilians and critical infrastructure were hit. As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the latest strikes underline the continuing intensity of the aerial war and the challenges Ukraine faces in protecting its population and energy system.