Russia Launches Major Overnight Assault on Ukraine, Killing at Least Ten
Quick Look
- Russia launched a major overnight assault across Ukraine, killing at least ten people and injuring dozens.
- Kyiv and Dnipro were heavily targeted, with residential buildings hit.
- Moscow stated the strikes were retaliation for a drone attack on a dormitory in Luhansk.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Russia launched a major overnight assault on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Dnipro, resulting in at least ten deaths and dozens of injuries. This follows a recent drone attack on a Russian-held dormitory in Luhansk that killed 21 people, which Moscow cited as a reason for "systematic strikes."
At least ten people have been killed and dozens more have been injured after Russia launched a major overnight assault on cities across Ukraine.
Six people were killed in Dnipro and 36 were injured following the strikes in the early hours of Tuesday. Four people were killed in Kyiv, and at least 51 were injured - with 35 of those in hospital, officials said.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two high-rise apartment buildings had been hit in the city and there are fears people are trapped under rubble.
Moscow last week warned it would launch "systematic strikes" on Ukraine in response to a drone attack last month on a dormitory in Ukraine's Russian-held Luhansk region which killed 21 people.
Klitschko has urged people to stay in shelters. The head of Kyiv's City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, said: "The enemy is striking with ballistic missiles."
Air raid warnings were in place across most of Ukraine. Large plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the centre of Kyiv.
In Russia, the Krasnodar Krai emergency response centre reported a fire at the Ilsky Oil Refinery following a drone attack. There were no casualties, according to the emergency service.
As the Russian attacks hit Kyiv through the early morning, the buzz of drones could be heard between more than a dozen loud explosions as strikes made impact.
The attack caused fires near a gas station, a construction site, and several apartment blocks, as well as two houses, Klitschko said. Blackouts have also been reported across the city.
The attacks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday reiterated warnings of a possible large Russian strike and urged residents to pay special attention to air raid alerts.
"Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible, they have prepared one," Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
Last week Russia said it would target military and decision-making centres in Kyiv, and urged foreigners to leave the city in what it said was a response to Ukraine deliberately striking a dormitory in Strabolinsk.
In a statement at the time, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said it did carry out an attack near Starobilsk on the night of 21-22 May, but maintains that it struck a Russian military unit.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Further retaliatory strikes from both sides are likely.
Very likely · Within days
Increased international condemnation of Russia's actions.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What specific military and decision-making centers did Russia target in Kyiv?
- What is the full extent of the damage to infrastructure in Kyiv and Dnipro?
- Will Ukraine retaliate with further strikes on Russian territory?
- How will international actors respond to this escalation?
