Ukraine attacks Russia with drones after suffering three days of massive strikes

Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on several Russian regions, including the Ryazan oil refinery, following three days of intense Russian strikes on Ukraine. The Ukrainian attack occurred as the death toll from a Russian missile strike on a Kyiv apartment building rose to 24, including three children. This escalation comes as the Council of Europe moves towards establishing a war crimes court to try Russia's leadership for its aggression. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy visited the site of the destroyed building, emphasizing the need for increased pressure on Russia and strengthened air defenses. Russia had previously launched over 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles across Ukraine in consecutive attacks this week.

Russia launched extensive overnight attacks across Ukraine, utilizing over 1,560 drones and 56 missiles, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The strikes targeted Kyiv, hitting six districts and surrounding areas, resulting in at least three deaths and 40 injuries, including two children. Attacks also impacted ports in Odesa and railway infrastructure. Rescue operations are ongoing, with people potentially trapped under rubble in Kyiv. This significant escalation in drone and missile usage comes despite recent suggestions of a potential winding down of the conflict.

Russia launched a massive wave of missile and drone strikes across Ukraine overnight, resulting in at least one death and dozens of injuries. The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, experienced a particularly difficult night, with a residential building heavily damaged and a search and rescue operation underway for those trapped in the rubble. This barrage follows a significant Russian attack on Wednesday and marks the third consecutive day of reported Ukrainian fatalities. The strikes have also impacted other residential buildings, a school, a veterinary clinic, and infrastructure, disrupting the city's water supply. Ukrainian officials stated that dozens have been rescued from the damaged apartment block.

Ukrainian forces launched a drone attack on the Russian Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, a major oil-exporting hub, causing a fire that was extinguished without an oil spill. Simultaneously, President Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian forces also struck two "shadow fleet" tankers near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, which he claimed were used for oil transport. These attacks occurred amidst ongoing accusations between Ukraine and Russia of civilian casualties from overnight air raids. The Primorsk attack highlights Ukraine's continued efforts to target Russian energy infrastructure, while the Novorossiysk incident demonstrates Ukraine's expanding long-range strike capabilities. Both nations have been engaged in frequent drone attacks throughout the conflict.

Russia has claimed a Ukrainian drone attack killed a worker at the captured Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Simultaneously, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian drone attacks on Odesa injured at least 11 people, including two children, and damaged homes, infrastructure, and the port. Odesa's governor stated that the attacks affected multiple districts, hitting residential buildings, civilian facilities, and the funicular railway. In the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainian Governor Ivan Fedorov reported a civilian death and hundreds of Russian strikes across settlements. Russia also reported Ukrainian drone attacks in its Belgorod border region, resulting in one death and injuries.

Russia conducted extensive overnight attacks across Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure, civilian facilities, and residential areas in regions including Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia. The strikes, which involved approximately 210 drones, resulted in at least one death and several injuries. In Odesa, drone attacks damaged port infrastructure and two residential buildings, injuring two people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, urging Europe to increase pressure and sanctions on Russia to enhance European security. He also reported damage to railway infrastructure in the Kharkiv region, leaving thousands without electricity.

Ukraine has escalated its aerial attacks, targeting Russian oil storage, ports, and refineries deep within Russia, including strikes in the Urals region, over the past week. President Zelenskyy announced this marks a "new stage" in Ukraine's use of weapons to disrupt Russia's war capabilities. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed striking a strategically important oil pumping and distribution facility in Perm, which reportedly resulted in widespread fires. Russia's Ministry of Defence acknowledged the strikes and reported downing numerous Ukrainian drones. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned these attacks as "terrorist attacks," and Russia has cited the "current operational situation" as a reason for scaling back its Victory Day parade. This campaign aims to reduce Russia's oil revenue, with Ukraine claiming to have significantly impacted oil offloading ports.