Russian forces launched ballistic missile strikes across Ukraine, killing at least nine people and wounding dozens, according to multiple reports. Ukraine accused Moscow of using North Korean ballistic missiles in the attacks, while Russia reported intercepting over 130 drones targeting its capital.
Kyiv and Kryvyi Rig Hit, Civilian Infrastructure Targeted
Ukrainian authorities confirmed that Russian strikes killed at least one person and injured several others in Kyiv, where explosions prompted an air raid alert. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated the city was under ballistic missile attack
and urged residents to seek shelter. Fires broke out at non-residential sites in the Obolonsky and Holosiivskyi districts, according to city officials.
In Kryvyi Rig, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a combined ballistic missile and drone attack killed a woman and wounded six others, regional governor Oleksandr Vilkul said. Two industrial sites were also damaged, triggering rescue and firefighting operations. The attack occurred amid warnings of potential further waves of strikes.
Moscow Faces Drone Assault, Air Defenses Intercepts 130 Drones
Russian authorities reported a sustained overnight drone assault on Moscow, with air defenses intercepting more than 130 drones headed toward the capital. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated emergency crews were deployed to sites where debris fell, and three people were wounded. The attack prompted a series of updates from Russian officials over several hours, highlighting its scale.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian infrastructure with drones, including military, industrial, and logistical facilities. In the Krasnodar region of southern Russia, a Ukrainian drone attack wounded five people, according to local authorities. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it had taken control of the settlement of Ivanivka in Kharkiv, though Reuters could not independently verify the report.
Ukraine Accuses Russia of Using North Korean Missiles
North Korea has become a key ally of Russia since the 2022 invasion, providing troops and military technology in exchange for economic benefits. The exchange of letters between Kim Jong Un and Putin followed Ukraine’s accusations of North Korean missile use in a strike that killed nine people.
Escalation of Long-Range Attacks on Both Sides
The latest attacks underscore a broader pattern of long-range strikes targeting cities far from the front lines. In Zaporizhzhia, Russian forces killed at least six people, including employees of the Zaporizhstal steel plant, according to Zelensky. The southeastern city of Kharkiv reported three deaths and 37 injuries after a multi-storey apartment block was hit.
Ukraine’s energy ministry said Russia attacked power facilities in the Odesa region, causing widespread outages. Odesa’s seaport, a critical artery for Ukraine’s agricultural exports, was damaged in a strike, with dozens of drones and missiles reported to have hit the city. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s state oil and gas company, Naftogaz, noted a significant increase in attacks on its facilities over the past three days.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it targeted defense industry facilities and logistics centers in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. In the Voronezh region of Russia, an Ukrainian drone attack killed one person and injured two, with falling debris sparking fires at warehouse facilities, according to regional governor Alexandr Gusev.
