During the early hours of this Friday, Russia launched a widespread missile and drone assault across multiple regions of Ukraine. Local authorities reported casualties and material damage in several areas as the strikes unfolded, underscuring the ongoing tension and risk faced by civilians.
Awaiting a precise balance from the Ukrainian Air Force, Ukrinform reported explosions in Zaporiyia in the southeast, Dnipropetrovsk in the center, Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast. In western Ivano-Frankivsk, authorities indicated a significant number of dead and injured, with the final tally still being determined as emergency responders assessed the scene.
The explosions followed the Ukrainian Air Force’s report late at night of missiles, both cruise and ballistic, launched from Russian territory aimed at areas controlled by Kyiv. The strikes left parts of the affected regions without electricity as power networks were disrupted during the attacks, compounding the challenges for residents and local services.
This mass assault came just a day after Ukraine faced a separate barrage on the capital city, Kyiv, with a total of 31 missiles, including a hypersonic Kinzhal. Ukrainian defense forces reported intercepting all incoming missiles, with the stated objective of disrupting Ukrainian military intelligence operations as described by Ukrainian sources identifying the target as the main intelligence hub in Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the European Council via teleconference on Thursday, appealing to European partners for additional air-defense systems. He underscored the need for Western systems to extend robust protection across the wider Ukrainian territory, beyond the capital, to safeguard civilians and critical infrastructure.
Ukraine possesses defenses capable of intercepting ballistic and hypersonic missiles in Kyiv, yet security experts warn that other regions remain vulnerable to similar armaments as Russia continues to deploy high-precision strike capabilities across the country. The evolving conflict underscores the importance of international support and rapid reinforcement of air defense to mitigate civilian harm and stabilize energy supplies in affected areas.