KYIV — Russia unleashed a record wave of drone and missile strikes across Ukraine overnight, targeting the capital Kyiv in what Ukrainian officials described as one of the war’s most intense assaults. The barrage came just hours after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended without agreement on a ceasefire.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 550 drones and 11 missiles overnight. At least 72 drones breached air defenses. Sirens sounded for over eight hours as explosions lit up the sky above nearly every district of Kyiv. Fires broke out across the capital as emergency crews scrambled to contain the damage.
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said 23 people were wounded in the attack. Damaged infrastructure included rail systems, residential buildings, and dozens of vehicles. A thick cloud of smoke lingered over the city by morning.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes, calling for tougher global sanctions against Russia. “Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv. One of the worst so far,” wrote Andrii Sybiha on X. “Putin does it on purpose. He clearly shows his disregard for the United States and for everyone who has called for an end to the war.”
Footage released by Ukraine’s emergency services showed firefighters battling multiple fires across the capital. Video from local residents captured the sound of anti-aircraft fire, buzzing drones, and loud blasts throughout the night.
In the southern Rostov region of Russia, local authorities said a Ukrainian drone strike killed a woman in a village near the border. The incident marked another cross-border casualty as tit-for-tat aerial attacks continue to escalate.
The timing of the strike raised questions after Trump announced on Thursday that his conversation with Putin had yielded no breakthrough. “I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin,” Trump told reporters. “I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad.”
The Kremlin later restated its stance, saying it would continue military operations to eliminate what it called “the root causes” of the conflict. Last week, Putin declared, “the whole of Ukraine is ours,” signaling no intention of retreating from his broader territorial ambitions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern over delays in U.S. weapons shipments, warning that any halt in support would weaken Ukraine’s defense against further Russian assaults.
In Washington, Trump responded by saying the U.S. was still providing weapons but stressed the need to ensure adequate supplies for American forces. “We’re giving weapons,” he said. “We have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves.”
The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, shows no sign of slowing. With ceasefire negotiations stalled and airstrikes intensifying, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence.
Ukraine’s air force confirmed that last night’s drone attack was the largest on record. The previous high was 537 drones launched in a single night, recorded just days earlier.
As smoke clears from the capital’s skyline, officials brace for further attacks as diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction.
