At least eight people, including two children, have been killed after Russia launched overnight missile and drone attacks across multiple regions of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials.
The strikes came after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that intelligence indicated Russia was preparing a “massive attack” and urged residents to respond immediately to air raid alerts.
Ukraine’s military reported that Russia fired multiple missiles and drones during the early hours of Thursday, targeting several cities across the country.
The deadliest strike occurred near the central city of Kryvyi Rih, where a ballistic missile hit a private residence.
Local authorities said two girls, aged five and 12, were among six people killed in the attack. Eight others, including two children, were injured, with officials warning that the casualty toll could increase as rescue operations continue.
In the capital, Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that one person was killed while fires broke out at three non-residential buildings following the overnight assault.
Another person died in Poltava after a strike reportedly hit a Nova Poshta postal terminal, according to the city’s mayor.
Western Ukraine Targeted
In Lviv, Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said explosions damaged residential buildings, leaving several people injured. Some victims were trapped beneath collapsed structures as emergency responders and local residents worked to clear the rubble.
The attacks prompted neighbouring Poland to place its military aircraft on alert as a precautionary measure. The Polish armed forces confirmed the deployment through a statement on X.
The latest bombardment came just days after Zelensky met US President Donald Trump in Washington, where he appealed for permission to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles under licence.
Ukraine has repeatedly requested additional Patriot air defence systems, describing them as essential for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
“The protection of people’s lives depends directly on their willingness, or lack of willingness, to provide air defence missiles,” Zelensky said before the attacks.
Meanwhile, Russia also reported an overnight attack. Authorities in the Penza region said a warehouse belonging to Wildberries, one of Russia’s largest online retailers, was struck. Wildberries facilities have become frequent targets of Ukrainian drone attacks during the conflict.
The latest exchange of attacks highlights the continued escalation of the war, with both sides intensifying long-range strikes.
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