Key facts
- Russia launched its largest air assault of the war on Ukraine, using missiles and drones.
- The attack targeted Kyiv, damaging residential buildings, a hotel, and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra cathedral.
- At least 17 people were killed and scores wounded across Ukraine.
- Other cities including Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Odesa were also struck.
- Russia stated the attack was a retaliatory strike aimed at military targets.
- Russia vowed to continue increasing pressure on Ukraine.
Russia launched its largest air assault of the war on Ukraine, targeting Kyiv and other cities with a massive barrage of missiles and drones that killed at least 17 people and wounded scores. Ukraine reported that Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 drones, destroying residential buildings. The Kremlin stated the attack was a "massive retaliatory strike" aimed exclusively at "military or quasi-military targets" in response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure.
Following the assault, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would continue to "intensify pressure on the Kyiv regime in order to achieve the goals it has set." He added that Russia was discussing how to protect its security in response to perceived steps by the EU to "militarise" the continent and increase tensions.
In the fifth year of the war, Russia has escalated its missile and drone attacks, particularly on Kyiv, as Ukraine has intensified its own drone strikes on Russia's energy sector, causing significant damage and fuel shortages. Some Russian hardliners have urged President Vladimir Putin to abandon diplomacy and escalate the conflict further.