Russia unleashed its largest aerial assault of the war overnight into Friday, pounding Kyiv and other regions with waves of drones and missiles, despite a phone call earlier in the day between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at easing tensions.
The brutal barrage left at least 23 injured and inflicted widespread destruction across Ukraine’s capital.
Blasts echoed across Kyiv for seven terrifying hours as Russian forces launched 550 drones and missiles nationwide, according to Ukraine’s air force.
Most were Shahed drones, accompanied by 11 missiles. The overnight strikes lit up the night sky and sent civilians scrambling for shelter in metro stations, basements, and garages.
“It was a harsh, sleepless night,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, describing the attack as “cynical” and deliberate.
Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko called it “a deliberate act of terror,” while Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha labeled it “one of the worst so far.”
Kyiv’s mayor reported at least 14 people hospitalized as debris from intercepted drones rained down across 33 sites in the city.
Trump-Putin Call Fails to Yield Progress
The massive assault came hours after Trump spoke with Putin by phone. Trump admitted to reporters he made “no progress” toward ending the war during the call, expressing disappointment with Putin’s stance.
“I don’t think he’s looking to stop” the war, Trump said, adding he would reach out to Zelenskyy.
Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov said the Russian leader made clear Moscow will not back down from its goals in Ukraine and intends to “remove the root causes of the conflict.”
Ukraine’s Defenses Stretched Thin
Ukraine’s forces claimed to have shot down 270 targets, including two cruise missiles, while 208 targets vanished from radar, likely jammed.
Still, Russian missiles and drones successfully struck eight locations. The attack damaged not only Kyiv but also Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions.
The aerial onslaught underscored Ukraine’s growing vulnerability as U.S. military aid shipments, including crucial air defense missiles, remain paused due to concerns about depleting American stockpiles.
European allies are considering how to step up, while Ukraine races to build its domestic arms industry.
Russia launched more than 5,400 drones at Ukraine in June, a record high, and over 330 missiles, further escalating its campaign as Ukrainian troops face relentless pressure along the 620-mile front line.
