Ukraine faced its largest drone and missile attack since the war began, with Russia launching a night-long assault involving 539 drones and 11 missiles. The country’s air defense systems worked around the clock, especially in the capital Kyiv, where residents took cover in metro stations and underground shelters.
Explosions echoed across the city, with emergency teams reporting that at least 26 people were injured. One person was rescued from the rubble of a damaged building. Ukrainian Air Force officials confirmed this was the most intense aerial attack since the beginning of Russia’s invasion over three years ago.
In eastern Ukraine, three more civilians were injured in drone and artillery strikes. The Polish embassy in Kyiv was also hit, though no injuries were reported. AFP journalists in Kyiv described a chaotic night, with the sound of drones filling the sky and blasts heard in multiple areas.
This large-scale bombardment came just after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which ended without any major agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said air raid sirens began shortly after the Trump-Putin call started.
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Speaking on Friday, President Trump expressed deep frustration with Russia’s actions, saying he was “very unhappy” with his call with Putin. Trump remarked, “He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people—it’s no good.”
Trump also revealed that sanctions were a key topic during the call. “We talked about sanctions a lot,” he said. “He understands that it may be coming.” Though no official actions were announced yet, the warning raised expectations of increased pressure on Moscow.
Following the Russian attacks, Trump also held a separate call with Ukrainian President Zelensky. Zelensky said they agreed to work together on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses. “We spoke about opportunities in air defence and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies,” he posted online.
In response, the Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia still prefers a diplomatic solution, but until that is possible, it will continue its “special operation” in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moscow claimed a territorial gain in the Donetsk region by capturing a village near the front line.
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Rising Civilian Fear and Growing Global Pressure
The attack sparked new fears among Ukrainian civilians and global leaders. Many residents in Kyiv said this strike felt different and far worse than previous attacks. “Nothing like this had ever happened before,” said Tymur, a local resident.
Others, like Yuliia Golovnina, described the fear of hiding in metro stations during the bombardment. “You just hold your breath and wait to see what happens next,” she said.
Concerns are also growing over military aid from the U.S., as the White House announced a reduction in some aid deliveries this week. Ukraine relies heavily on U.S. support to defend against Russian drone and missile attacks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called this a sign that Europe must now “step up” its support for Ukraine.
Despite the violence, diplomatic talks between Russia and Ukraine remain stalled. The last meeting occurred over a month ago. However, a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 captives on each side was carried out Friday as part of a past agreement.
Ukraine has also increased its retaliatory drone strikes inside Russia. One such attack in Russia’s Rostov region reportedly killed a woman, according to local officials.
