Russia Hits Kyiv in Massive Strike as Ukraine Targets Oil

Russian forces launched a massive overnight aerial barrage of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and 168 drones against Kyiv and the surrounding region on Thursday. The strikes killed at least 17 people and injured over 40, hitting 12 locations across the Darnytskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Solomianskyi districts. Damage included 30 apartment blocks, a school, a kindergarten, and a children's hospital. The Russian Defense Ministry stated the targets were drone component facilities, a military depot, and a logistics hub.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy attributed the civilian casualties to a shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles and urged allies to replenish stocks. He described the operation as a massive attack designed to cause maximum damage to civilian infrastructure. Other Russian strikes targeted port infrastructure in Odesa, disrupting agricultural exports.

Simultaneously, Ukraine conducted one of its largest aerial attacks of the war, striking an oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, and the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal in Volna, Krasnodar. Russia reported shooting down 726 drones across various regions. The escalation prompted Poland, Romania, and Moldova to activate air defenses and scramble aircraft after drones breached or approached their airspace. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of violating the sovereignty of neighboring states, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen characterized the campaign as a threat seeking to divide the European Union.