Russia launched an overnight air assault on Ukraine early Tuesday, killing at least 21 people and injuring dozens, despite recent warnings that a major strike was imminent. The attack combined missiles and drones and hit several cities, causing damage and civilian casualties.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian forces fired 73 missiles and deployed 656 drones from Monday night into Tuesday morning. In the capital Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said six people died and at least 66 others suffered injuries, including two children. Emergency teams worked through the morning to rescue residents and clear debris.
Authorities in the industrial city of Dnipro confirmed that 15 people lost their lives during the strikes. In eastern Kharkiv, near the Russian border, officials reported that at least 15 people sustained injuries after drones and missiles struck homes and infrastructure.
Russia’s Defense Ministry acknowledged the operation and said its forces targeted defense production facilities and military transport infrastructure. The ministry said the strikes used long range precision weapons launched from air, land, and sea, including hypersonic missiles and attack drones, and claimed all intended targets were hit.
Earlier, Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned of imminent strikes on Kyiv and urged foreign nationals and diplomatic staff to leave the city. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said the attack showed growing desperation from Russian President Vladimir Putin and accused Moscow of relying on terror tactics.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the assault highlighted Europe’s need to strengthen its own air defense systems and stressed that continued support from the United States remains essential.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Kursk region, killing one person, while another drone caused a refinery fire in Krasnodar, local officials said Tuesday morning hours.
