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Overnight attacks leave five dead, dozens injured
Ukrainian officials confirmed at least five fatalities, including a 12-year-old girl, after Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile assault across the country. The strikes followed the expiration of a three-day ceasefire on Monday.
Kyiv hit hardest as rescuers search rubble
Three victims-two men aged 21 and 30, and an unidentified woman-were pulled from the debris of a partially collapsed nine-story apartment building in Kyiv. A 12-year-old girl was later found dead in the wreckage of a nearby house, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. A fifth victim, a man injured at a petrol station, died in hospital.
More than 1,500 rescuers and police officers are combing through the ruins, with nearly 600 deployed in Kyiv alone. Authorities believe at least 10 people remain missing under the rubble. Teams have removed over 20 cubic meters of debris and evacuated five damaged vehicles.
Widespread damage and casualties reported
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the attacks targeted 180 sites nationwide, damaging over 50 residential buildings, a school, a veterinary clinic, and critical infrastructure. Kyiv's water supply was disrupted, and 21 people are receiving hospital treatment in the capital.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported strikes in multiple regions, including Kremenchuk, Bila Tserkva, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Odesa. At least 28 people were injured in Kharkiv, and two in Odesa. Zelensky described the assault as one of the largest since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022, involving over 670 drones and 56 missiles.
Ukraine urges stronger air defenses amid escalation
Zelensky called for a "just response" to the strikes, urging allies to maintain sanctions and hold Moscow accountable. He emphasized that Russia's actions contradict claims the war is nearing an end. "There must be consequences for these attacks," he said.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha condemned the assault as "barbaric," accusing Russia of prioritizing "aggression and terror" over peace. He appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whose summit coincided with the strikes, to pressure Russia to halt the war.
"Ukraine needs help strengthening its air defense. This is the only way to save our people and our cities."
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal
Ceasefire violations precede renewed assault
The attacks followed a U.S.-brokered three-day truce that expired late Monday. Both sides reported sporadic violations during the ceasefire, though no large-scale aerial strikes occurred. The pause coincided with Russia's scaled-back Victory Day parade, where President Vladimir Putin suggested the war might be concluding.
However, Russia resumed strikes on Tuesday, killing nine people, followed by another deadly wave on Wednesday involving 892 drones. Zelensky reported over 1,560 drones had targeted Ukraine since Tuesday night.
Zelensky aide detained in corruption case
In a separate development, a Kyiv court ordered 60 days of pretrial detention for Andriy Yermak, a former top aide to Zelensky, over allegations of money laundering linked to a £7.5 million luxury construction project. Yermak, who denies the charges, was offered release on £2.35 million ($3.2 million) bail with an electronic tag.
"I'm staying in Ukraine. I have nothing to hide."
Andriy Yermak
Yermak's lawyer dismissed the accusations as "baseless," and Yermak stated he lacks the funds for bail but would seek support from acquaintances.
