Three killed in ‘massive’ Russian attacks across Ukraine, says Zelensky

Early on Friday, Russia launched extensive drone and missile strikes on Ukraine’s capital and several other regions, officials reported.

According to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, the attacks resulted in at least three deaths and 49 injuries.

The aerial assaults hit Kyiv, as well as the city of Lutsk and the Ternopil region in the country’s northwest.

This offensive followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin to US President Donald Trump, signaling retaliation for Ukraine’s recent strikes on Russian airbases.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that three people have died so far—all employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. He added that the attack involved over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles, warning that the number of injured could rise.

Earlier, Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that four people had been killed in the capital. Air raid sirens sounded not only in Kyiv but also in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Luhansk. The city’s train system was disrupted after shelling damaged metro tracks.

Outside the capital, Ternopil’s military chief Vyacheslav Negoda described Friday’s strike as the “largest air attack on our region to date.” Ternopil’s Mayor Igor Polishchuk said five people were wounded and that homes, schools, and a government building sustained damage.

In Lutsk, five people were injured in an attack involving 15 drones and six missiles, according to the city’s mayor, Ihor Polishchuk.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 174 Ukrainian drones overnight over parts of Russia and occupied Crimea. The ministry also said Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles were intercepted over the Black Sea.

In a post on X, Zelensky urged the US, Europe, and the global community to put pressure on Russia, saying that failing to do so “gives the war more time to take lives — that is complicity and accountability.”

Russia’s latest strikes come just days after Kyiv launched its largest long-range drone attack, targeting at least 40 Russian warplanes across four military bases. Zelensky said the operation, named “Spider’s Web” and conducted by the SBU security service, used 117 drones to hit “34% of [Russia’s] strategic cruise missile carriers.”

Earlier this month, peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were held in Istanbul but ended without significant progress. Ukrainian negotiators said Russia rejected an “unconditional ceasefire,” a key demand from Kyiv and its Western allies, including the US. The Russian delegation proposed a limited two- or three-day truce “in certain areas” of the front line but provided no further details.

During a phone call with US President Donald Trump lasting over an hour on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly vowed to “very strongly” respond to Ukraine’s recent strikes on Russian airbases. Moscow had previously indicated that military options were “on the table” for retaliation.

Last week, Trump appeared to set a two-week deadline for Putin, warning he might change the US response to Russia if he believed Putin was not genuinely engaging in peace efforts in Ukraine.

Important

Russia launched massive drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, targeting cities like Kyiv, Lutsk, and Ternopil. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed at least three deaths and 49 injuries, with further casualties expected. The attacks damaged infrastructure, including the Kyiv metro, and sparked widespread air raid alerts across Kharkiv, Sumy, and Luhansk. Ukraine’s “Spider’s Web” drone operation previously hit Russian military bases, prompting threats of retaliation from President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, peace talks in Istanbul ended without agreement, as Russia rejected an unconditional ceasefire. Zelensky urged the US, Europe, and global allies to pressure Russia and prevent further escalation in the conflict.

Conclusion

In summary, the recent wave of intense drone and missile attacks highlights the escalating and devastating nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. With significant casualties and widespread damage reported across multiple regions, the situation remains highly volatile. Despite ongoing international diplomatic efforts, including recent peace talks, a lasting resolution remains elusive. As President Zelensky calls for increased global pressure on Russia, the world watches closely, recognizing that the path to peace will require urgent and sustained action to prevent further loss of life and destruction.