Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa were the primary targets of a large-scale Russian aerial assault overnight, according to Ukrainian air defense officials. The attacks, utilizing a combination of drones and missiles, have left thousands without power and resulted in confirmed civilian casualties.
Russia employed 24 long-range missiles, one cruise missile, and 219 drones in the overnight barrage, Ukrainian air defense reported via Telegram. The defense forces claim to have intercepted 16 of the missiles and 197 of the drones. Despite these interceptions, significant damage was sustained across multiple regions.
In Kyiv, an additional 2,600 residential buildings are now without heating as a direct result of the attacks, according to city mayor Vitaliy Klitschko. The disruption to essential services comes amid a period of severe winter weather, raising concerns about the well-being of residents.
Two people were killed in the eastern city of Lozova, while two individuals in Kyiv sustained injuries. Four more were wounded in Dnipro, a city in central Ukraine, where approximately 10,000 customers have lost electricity. The attacks underscore a pattern of targeting critical infrastructure, particularly during the coldest months of the year.
“This is yet another attempt to deprive Ukrainians of basic services in the middle of winter,” stated Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. “Recovery efforts are continuing around the clock.” The Ukrainian government is mobilizing resources to restore power and heating to affected areas, but the scale of the damage presents significant logistical challenges.
Ukraine responded to the attacks by stating it had struck a weapons production facility in the Russian Tambov region and a missile depot in the Volgograd region. Details regarding the extent of the damage inflicted in these counterstrikes remain limited.
The overnight attacks represent a significant escalation in the intensity of the conflict, and are among the largest seen in recent months. On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Russia launched 315 drones at Ukraine, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as “one of the largest” attacks on Kyiv. That assault resulted in damage to a maternity hospital and residential buildings in Odesa, and one death. The latest barrage, however, appears to have been even more widespread, impacting a greater number of cities and infrastructure targets.
The attacks on Kyiv involved multiple districts being hit by falling debris, causing fires in high-rise buildings, homes, cars, and warehouses, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv city military administration. The scale of the drone assault was described as unusual, with dozens of drones heard flying over the city center over a period of approximately three hours.
The attacks come as Russia continues its military campaign in Ukraine, now entering its third year. The conflict has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with millions of Ukrainians displaced from their homes. International efforts to mediate a ceasefire have so far failed to yield a lasting resolution.
The choice of targets, including civilian infrastructure and a manufacturing facility producing consumer goods, has drawn condemnation from Ukrainian officials. President Zelenskyy stated that the targeting of an American-owned electronics manufacturer in Mukachevo, a city near the Hungarian and Slovakian borders, was “very telling.” He added, “It was an ordinary civilian enterprise, an American investment…This is also a target for the Russians.”
The attacks also highlight the ongoing vulnerability of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has been repeatedly targeted by Russia throughout the conflict. The disruption to power and heating supplies poses a serious threat to the health and safety of civilians, particularly during the winter months. The Ukrainian government has been working to strengthen its air defenses and repair damaged infrastructure, but the scale of the challenge remains immense.
The recent exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, focusing on seriously wounded and sick service members, offers a small measure of hope amidst the ongoing conflict. However, the escalation in attacks suggests that a peaceful resolution remains distant. The attacks underscore the urgent need for continued international support for Ukraine, including humanitarian aid and military assistance.
The attacks also raise questions about Russia’s intentions and its willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations. President Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for a response to the attacks and a stronger signal from Moscow that it is prepared to pursue peace. The international community is facing increasing pressure to address the conflict and hold Russia accountable for its actions.
