Russia launched one of its largest-scale air strikes on Ukraine on Thursday night, killing at least 16 people and injuring over 100 across the country, Ukrainian officials said.
The air strike targeted major cities hit included Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro, with most casualties reported on Odesa. Ukraine’s air force said air defenses downed or disabled 667 out of 703 incoming targets, including 636 Shahed-type kamikaze drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles. Nine people were killed and 23 were injured in Odesa. The head of the local military administration, Serhiy Lysak wrote on Telegram that the city came under several waves of missile and drone attacks. Two more people were killed and 30 others were wounded in an evening and overnight attack on Dnipro city, regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha revealed, while also sharing photos featuring residential buildings ablaze. In Ukraine’s second-largest city Kharkiv, officials reported the death of two people as a result of drone strikes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the attack, which was the worst Russian drone attack this year, showed the Kremlin should not be granted any relaxation of international policies or sanctions, noting that around 100 people were injured in addition to those who died. He emphasized that Russia, in its current state, cannot be treated as normal, and that sustained pressure must continue. He also stressed the importance of delivering all pledged support to Ukraine without delay.
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said emergency crews were still working at the affected sites, warning that the number of victims might increase as searches continue. Meanwhile, Meanwhile, Andrii Sybiha called on the global community to respond and take concrete action. "All decisions required to increase pressure on the aggressor must be unblocked now. It is immoral, counterproductive, and dangerous to delay sanctions against Russia or packages of support for Ukraine,” Sybiha posted on X.
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