Russia missile and drone strikes killed at least seven people, including two children, in Ukraine overnight as attacks hit several cities, officials said. The eastern city of Kharkiv was among the hardest hit during the assault by Russia.
Authorities said ballistic missiles and drones struck residential areas and infrastructure during the overnight attack. Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said four civilians were killed in the city while at least 10 others were injured, including two children.
Emergency crews responded to fires and building damage after the strikes, which occurred as part of a broader wave of attacks across Ukraine.
A nationwide air raid alert was issued at around 3 a.m. local time as officials warned residents about incoming projectiles. Explosions were first reported in the capital Kyiv shortly after 1:30 a.m., with additional blasts reported minutes later.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes, describing them as “savage” and accusing Russia of continuing to target civilian infrastructure.
According to Zelensky, Russia launched 29 missiles — nearly half of them ballistic — along with about 480 drones overnight. He said the attacks targeted energy facilities in Kyiv as well as infrastructure in several regions.
“Russia has not abandoned its attempts to destroy Ukraine’s residential and critical infrastructure,” Zelensky said while calling on international partners to maintain support for Ukraine.
The strikes came hours after the Ukrainian president visited troops on the eastern frontline near Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces are believed to be preparing for a possible spring offensive.
During the visit, Zelensky awarded soldiers defending Ukrainian positions and stressed the strategic importance of holding the eastern front.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign ministry summoned Hungary’s acting charge d’affaires in Kyiv after Ukrainian nationals were detained in Budapest. Ukrainian authorities accused Hungarian officials of unlawfully holding state bank employees transporting cash and gold.
The incident has increased tensions between Kyiv and Hungary. Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán has taken a critical stance toward Ukraine while campaigning ahead of national elections.
Separately, the Kremlin said global demand for Russian energy had risen because of the conflict involving Iran, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia remained a “reliable supplier” of oil and gas despite sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine ordered by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The war between Russia and Ukraine, which began with Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022, has now entered its fifth year despite ongoing diplomatic efforts supported by the administration of US president Donald Trump.
The international community has reacted with concern to the latest attacks. NATO officials reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the need for sustained military and humanitarian aid.
Several European countries have already pledged additional shipments of air defense systems, drones, and medical supplies to help Ukraine cope with both the immediate destruction and ongoing conflict pressures.
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Analysts warn that the use of nearly 500 drones in a single night signals a potential shift in Russia’s tactics, highlighting the growing role of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern warfare.
Military experts suggest that the sheer scale of the attacks could strain Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, making continued international support crucial to protecting both civilian populations and critical infrastructure.
