Russia Pounds Kyiv and Ukrainian Cities in Fresh Overnight Missile and Drone Barrage

Russia launched a major overnight missile and drone assault across Ukraine, targeting Kyiv and several other cities in an attack that stretched into Thursday morning and put renewed pressure on the country's already strained air defence systems.

Explosions were heard across Kyiv, while residential areas, energy facilities, industrial sites and businesses were damaged in multiple regions. Ukrainian officials said a 78-year-old woman was killed in Zaporizhzhia, while another person died in the Kharkiv region. At least 14 people were reported injured.

The latest barrage comes as Ukraine faces a shortage of US-made Patriot missiles, which are critical for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. Moscow's increasing use of fast, jet-powered drones has added another challenge for Ukrainian defences.

Russia's Defence Ministry said the attack targeted military-related infrastructure, including industrial facilities, oil refineries, logistics hubs and port infrastructure. Ukrainian authorities, however, reported damage to civilian buildings, schools and medical facilities.

The attacks also disrupted Ukraine's economy and energy network. Russian drones struck major distribution centres, damaging warehouses belonging to retail and manufacturing companies. In the Kherson region, four powerful glide bombs destroyed generating equipment at a combined heat and power plant, forcing it to shut down.

The southern port region of Odesa endured an attack lasting more than seven hours, damaging a residential building, educational facilities and a grain elevator. Rail services were also affected, with some trains delayed by over 17 hours.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack highlighted Ukraine's urgent need for additional air defence systems and ballistic missile interceptors.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continued striking targets inside Russia with long-range drones. Moscow said its air defences shot down 267 Ukrainian drones across 14 Russian regions, Crimea and areas around the Black and Azov seas.