KYIV—Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Ukraine that killed at least six people and wounded dozens, Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday, in one of the latest waves of long-range strikes as the war showed no sign of easing.
Ukraine's Air Force said Russia fired 41 missiles of various types and launched 125 attack drones during the assault, with the capital Kyiv and surrounding areas among the primary targets. Air defence units intercepted many of the incoming weapons, but several missiles and drones, along with falling debris, struck residential districts and other civilian areas, officials said.
Kyiv city and emergency officials said fires broke out in multiple districts after the strikes damaged apartment buildings, office premises and industrial facilities. Rescue teams searched damaged structures and evacuated residents as emergency crews worked to extinguish fires.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had directed most of the missiles and drones toward Kyiv, describing the barrage as one of the largest ballistic missile attacks on the capital in recent months. He renewed calls for Ukraine's partners to strengthen the country's air-defence capabilities, particularly through additional Patriot missile systems and interceptors.
Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported that at least six people were confirmed dead across the country, while dozens more were injured. Officials cautioned that casualty figures could change as rescue operations continued.
Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out strikes against facilities linked to Ukraine's military, but it did not comment on reports of civilian casualties. Reuters could not independently verify battlefield claims made by either side.
The attack followed a large-scale Ukrainian drone operation targeting sites inside Russia, including infrastructure near Moscow, underscoring the increasingly long-range nature of the conflict. Russian authorities separately reported injuries and damage from the Ukrainian drone strikes, while Ukraine said the targets included facilities supporting Russia's military logistics.
The latest bombardment came as Ukraine continues to warn that shortages of advanced air-defence interceptors have left cities more vulnerable to Russia's growing use of ballistic missiles. Western governments have pledged additional military assistance, but Ukrainian officials say more systems are needed to protect civilian population centres from sustained aerial attacks.
