By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Russia launched another large-scale wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on Saturday, leaving at least six people dead and dozens more injured in one of the latest assaults to strike cities across the country. The attacks targeted multiple regions, including Kyiv, Sumy, Odesa and Kharkiv, highlighting the continuing intensity of the war as Ukraine struggles with a critical shortage of air defense ammunition.
The deadliest strike occurred in the northeastern city of Sumy, where two Russian glide bombs slammed into a busy civilian area. Ukrainian officials said four people were killed and at least 17 others were wounded. One of the bombs struck near a public bus stop, destroying a yellow passenger bus and scattering debris across the surrounding streets. Images from the scene showed extensive damage, with emergency crews working to rescue survivors and clear the wreckage.
Earlier in the day, a separate missile strike hit the southern port city of Odesa, killing two people and injuring another. In eastern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck a civilian business in Kharkiv, leaving seven people wounded.
Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, also came under heavy attack overnight. According to officials, Russia launched a combination of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and attack drones against the city. Eleven people were reported injured as explosions echoed across the capital and air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming weapons.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said civilian infrastructure was damaged even before air raid sirens had fully warned residents of the danger. He praised Ukraine’s air defense forces for intercepting many of the incoming drones and cruise missiles but acknowledged that ballistic missiles remain a serious challenge.
“Our defenders destroyed most of the incoming targets, but ballistic missiles continue to pose a major threat,” Zelenskiy said, renewing his appeal for Ukraine’s international partners to accelerate the delivery of additional air defense systems and ammunition promised during this week’s NATO summit.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched six ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles and 121 drones during the overnight assault. Air defense units successfully destroyed at least two cruise missiles and intercepted 111 drones. However, officials said several ballistic missiles reached their intended targets because Ukraine lacks sufficient interceptor missiles for its Patriot air defense systems.
The shortage of Patriot ammunition has become one of Ukraine’s greatest military concerns. Ballistic missiles travel at extremely high speeds, making them significantly harder to intercept than drones or cruise missiles. Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly appealed to Western allies for more interceptor missiles, warning that delays in deliveries are leaving major cities increasingly vulnerable.
In addition to requesting more weapons, Kyiv has been encouraging European partners to cooperate on developing a new anti-ballistic missile defense system that could strengthen Ukraine’s long-term security.
Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Ukraine would receive a license to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles domestically, a move Ukrainian officials hope will eventually reduce their dependence on foreign supplies. Zelenskiy stressed after Saturday’s attacks that these defense projects must move forward as quickly as possible.
Russia has significantly intensified its aerial bombardment campaign against Kyiv in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials estimate that more than 60 people have been killed in strikes on the capital and the surrounding region since the beginning of the month, underscoring the growing pressure on the country’s air defenses.
At the same time, Ukraine has continued expanding its own long-range drone campaign against Russian military logistics. Kyiv says its strategy is aimed at disrupting fuel supplies, ammunition deliveries and transport routes supporting Russian forces in occupied southern Ukraine.
Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, said Ukrainian drones struck 21 fuel tanker vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight, along with seven additional cargo and support ships. According to Brovdi, Ukrainian forces have targeted a total of 76 vessels over the past week in an effort to weaken Russia’s ability to sustain military operations.
President Zelenskiy has repeatedly said that these deep strikes are designed to increase pressure on Moscow and encourage Russia to return to meaningful peace negotiations. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown little indication that he is prepared to soften his position or change the Kremlin’s military objectives.
Russia also reported damage from Ukrainian attacks. Russian authorities said one person was killed after Ukrainian drones struck four vessels, including a tanker carrying methanol, in Taganrog Bay on the Sea of Azov. Fires also broke out at two fuel storage facilities and the port of Taganrog following drone strikes on Friday.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defense systems intercepted 178 Ukrainian drones over several regions overnight.
The latest exchanges illustrate the continuing escalation of the conflict, with both sides increasingly relying on long-range missiles and drones to strike military infrastructure far from the front lines. As civilian casualties continue to rise, Ukraine is urging its allies to deliver promised military assistance without delay, warning that stronger air defenses remain essential to protecting cities and saving lives.
Source: Reuters
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