Ukraine faced a relentless Russian assault overnight, with Kyiv and other cities targeted in a barrage of missiles and drones. Ukrainian officials confirmed that 35 missiles and 185 drones were launched, with Kyiv as the primary focus, alongside strikes on Dnipro, Sumy, and Kharkiv.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported extensive damage, including 18 residential buildings, a school, the Lithuanian Embassy, and critical infrastructure facilities. At least nine lives were lost, and dozens more were injured, as explosions shook the capital.
Zelensky highlighted a critical shortage of air defense systems, noting that only one ballistic missile was intercepted due to depleted Patriot interceptor stocks. He urged the U.S. to expedite deliveries of Patriot missiles, warning that the gap emboldens further attacks.
Footage of the assault revealed widespread destruction in Kyiv, with massive craters and damaged structures visible. Recovery teams were deployed to assess casualties and clear debris, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
Ukraine retaliated by targeting Russian energy infrastructure, including three oil refineries in Bashkortostan, located over 1,600 kilometers from the frontline. Zelensky confirmed the strikes disabled facilities processing millions of tons of oil annually.
The sanctioned container ship Yanina, capable of carrying 100,000 tons, was sunk in a separate operation, as Zelensky shared video evidence of the attack on social media.
Zelensky discussed the ongoing conflict with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, emphasizing the urgent need for advanced weaponry. The two leaders reviewed progress from a recent meeting with President Trump, which he described as “positive and productive.”
Trump, however, signaled caution about supplying high-tech arms, stating, “We have to be very careful about giving out the secrets to those weapons,” referencing earlier aid like Javelin missiles. He reiterated that no agreement exists for Patriot missile technology transfers.
