Russia launched a massive missile and drone barrage on Ukraine in the early hours of Friday, killing at least six people and injuring 80 others, according to Ukrainian officials. Powerful explosions rocked the capital Kyiv and several other cities across the country.
The attacks followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Kremlin would retaliate after Ukrainian drones destroyed several strategic bomber aircraft deep inside Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that three emergency responders were killed in Kyiv during the missile and drone attacks. Two more fatalities occurred in the northern city of Chernihiv, and one person was killed in Lutsk in the northwest.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that its forces targeted military and related facilities in response to what it called Ukrainian “terrorist acts” against Russia.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia deployed 407 drones—one of the largest numbers recorded in a single attack. Additionally, 45 cruise and ballistic missiles were launched.
Kyiv’s metro system was disrupted after a strike damaged tracks between stations, according to the city’s military administration. The state rail company announced train diversions due to rail damage outside the capital.
