Russia launched its largest airstrike on Ukraine overnight, targeting more than 30 cities and villages across the country. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 367 aerial weapons were used, including 69 missiles and 298 drones. Many of the drones were Iranian-made Shahed models. The attacks happened during the night of May 25 and affected both eastern and western regions.
The cities hit included Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, Poltava, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy. This was the biggest single air assault since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, according to Ukrainian officials.
In the capital Kyiv, four civilians died, including three children. Another 16 people were injured. In the western city of Khmelnytskyi, four more people were killed. One person died in Mykolaiv. Many residential areas were damaged. Fires broke out as drone debris fell on buildings and streets. Emergency services responded quickly, working through the night to put out fires and help the injured.
Authorities said homes, shops, and public infrastructure were badly damaged. As the morning came, people found destroyed houses and broken windows across multiple regions. In some areas, rescue workers had to search through debris to find survivors.
Despite the scale of the attack, Ukraine’s air defence systems stayed active and shot down some incoming missiles and drones. However, the large number of weapons made it hard to stop them all. The Ukrainian military continues to defend its positions on the front line. While the defence holds, the number of civilian casualties keeps growing.
Just days before the strikes, Russia and Ukraine carried out a major prisoner swap. Hundreds of captives were exchanged following limited peace talks in Istanbul. The swap raised hopes for possible progress in the conflict. But the new wave of attacks ended any sense of calm. Heavy fighting still continues along the 1,000-kilometre front line.
At the same time, Russia claimed that Ukraine sent drones toward its own cities. Russian officials said they shot down 110 Ukrainian drones during the night. In Moscow, six drones were intercepted before reaching the capital. Because of the threat, airports in Moscow, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky were closed for a short time.
The Russian government continues to combine limited diplomacy with ongoing military pressure. While exchanges like the prisoner swap show rare cooperation, the war shows no signs of slowing down.
Ukrainian leaders are calling for more support from Western countries. They are asking for stronger sanctions against Russia and more air defence systems to protect civilians. Many experts believe this latest attack could push NATO allies to speed up their help.
As the war continues into its third year, the people of Ukraine are facing more destruction and fear. Many have lost family members, homes, and peace. Cities are being damaged faster than they can be rebuilt. Fires, power outages, and broken roads have become part of daily life.
For now, emergency teams across Ukraine are focused on saving lives and repairing damage. The government is preparing for possible new attacks. Many people fear that more strikes could come soon.