Russia launched a powerful overnight drone attack on Ukraine late Tuesday into Wednesday, targeting several key areas, including President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown, Kryvyi Rih.
Overnight Drone Storm Hits Zelensky’s Hometown and Three Other Regions
This was one of the biggest attacks of the week, Ukrainian officials said. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia used one missile and 400 long-range drones in the operation. Ukrainian forces intercepted or destroyed 345 of those drones before they reached their targets.
The attack affected four major regions. These included Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, Kharkiv in the east, Vinnytsia in the southwest, and parts of the southern Odesa region. Authorities said the drone assault caused severe damage to energy infrastructure. It also sparked multiple fires. Many areas were left without electricity or water.
Kryvyi Rih suffered what officials described as the most intense attack since Russia’s invasion began. The city was the target of 28 drones and a ballistic missile. The head of Kryvyi Rih’s military administration, Oleksandr Vilkul, said the bombardment led to multiple fires and widespread power and water outages. President Zelensky confirmed that Russian forces deliberately attacked the city’s energy systems and wounded 15 people in the strike.
In Kharkiv, the eastern city’s mayor Ihor Terekhov said Russian forces struck the city 16 times within just 14 minutes. Explosions damaged infrastructure and sent emergency services rushing to control fires and assist the injured.
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Vinnytsia, located southwest of the capital Kyiv, also came under attack. Officials said eight people were injured there and two infrastructure facilities caught fire due to drone strikes. Odesa, though less affected, still experienced attacks, adding to the growing tension across the country.
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The scale and intensity of the attacks have caused significant human suffering and infrastructure damage. Government sources reported that shelling killed two people in Kharkiv and one in the Sumy region over the past 24 hours. They also reported that the attacks wounded a total of 38 people across the affected areas.
Emergency response efforts continued throughout the day on Wednesday. Rescue workers were seen extinguishing fires and helping residents evacuate damaged buildings. Several cities reported blackouts and disrupted water supply, adding to the challenges faced by civilians.
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President Zelensky said in a social media post that the attacks were part of Russia’s ongoing strategy to target Ukraine’s energy systems and terrorize the population. He emphasized the need for better air defense and called for more international support to counter these attacks.
The Ukrainian Air Force, despite facing larger numbers, shot down a significant number of drones. They acted quickly and prevented even more destruction. Ukrainian officials repeatedly state that Russia launches drone attacks to break the population’s morale and destabilize daily life.
Trump Reacts as Global Leaders Respond to Ukraine Crisis
The drone attack occurred a few days after the United States made a significant change to its policy. President Donald Trump spoke at Andrews Air Force Base on Monday. During his speech, he confirmed that the U.S. would send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine. This support is part of a new military aid package provided through NATO. He also announced plans to impose “secondary tariffs” on countries that continue to buy Russian oil. These actions signal a tougher economic stance against Moscow.
Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that his previous conversations with him had not led to any de-escalation. Trump remarked, “I have very nice conversations with him, and then the missiles go off at night.” He went on to say that he had not been duped by Putin like his predecessors had.
The Kremlin responded to Trump’s remarks through spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who said the U.S. president’s statements were “very serious.” Peskov acknowledged that Trump addressed Putin directly and said the Kremlin would analyze the U.S. statements carefully. However, he warned that Ukraine might take this new support as a signal to continue the conflict rather than seek peace.
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In Brussels, several European Union foreign ministers voiced support for Trump’s move. EU foreign affairs leader Kaja Kallas stated that pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine are the best ways to guarantee peace. She added that sanctions and economic pressure are necessary tools to stop the ongoing aggression.
The latest wave of attacks on Ukraine highlights the ongoing challenges facing the country as it continues to defend itself from relentless aerial assaults. The response from Western allies, including military aid and economic measures, marks a significant development in the international approach to the conflict.