Russian forces launched a large-scale drone and missile attack against Ukraine overnight, targeting critical infrastructure in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. The assault, described by Ukrainian officials as one of the largest on the capital in the three-year-old war, has left parts of the population without essential services, including electricity, water, and heating.
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, the attack involved 219 drones and 24 ballistic missiles. He stated that the strikes have resulted in multiple injuries, including those of a baby and a four-year-old child. Sibiga condemned the attacks as “Russian terrorism,” occurring “right now in the heart of Europe,” despite the ongoing Olympic truce and international peace efforts led by the United States.
The attacks come as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio leads a large delegation to the Munich Security Conference. European leaders are reportedly seeking reassurance amidst concerns over the potentially shifting foreign policy direction of the United States under President Donald Trump, which has already introduced instability into transatlantic relations and the established international order following World War II.
While the State Department’s announcement of Rubio’s trip did not provide specific details regarding his two-day schedule in Munich, officials indicated that he intends to focus on areas of cooperation concerning shared global and regional issues. These include the Middle East, Ukraine, and China, which is increasingly seeking to capitalize on uncertainty in the U.S.-European relationship.
The latest Russian offensive follows a period of escalating attacks and counter-attacks. In June 2025, Russia launched what President Zelenskyy described as “one of the largest strikes on Kyiv,” deploying 315 drones across the country. That attack injured four people and caused widespread damage across seven of the capital’s ten districts. Simultaneously, Ukraine launched drone attacks on Russian territory, temporarily closing several airports.
The June 2025 strikes were, according to Moscow, a response to Ukrainian attacks within Russia, including a covert operation dubbed “Operation Spider’s Web” targeting air bases deep inside Russian territory on June 1st. President Putin reportedly promised a “very strong” response to these attacks during a call with President Trump, as relayed by the American leader.
Further south, the port city of Odesa was also heavily targeted in the June 2025 attacks, resulting in the deaths of two people after drones struck residential buildings and medical facilities, including a maternity ward. Thirteen others were injured in Odesa during that period. Similar attacks have now impacted the Dnipro region and Chernihiv region as well.
Notably, Zelenskyy indicated that two of the seven missiles used in the overnight strikes were of North Korean production, highlighting a potential shift in the sourcing of weaponry used by Russia. This development raises concerns about the proliferation of arms and the potential for further escalation of the conflict.
The attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure are causing significant disruption to civilian life. The loss of power, water, and heating during the winter months poses a serious threat to public health and safety, particularly for vulnerable populations. The strikes also underscore the ongoing vulnerability of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure to Russian attacks.
The situation in Ukraine remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation. The Munich Security Conference is expected to address these concerns, as European leaders seek clarity on the future of transatlantic security cooperation and the ongoing efforts to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The presence of Secretary of State Rubio signals the continued, though potentially evolving, commitment of the United States to addressing the crisis.
The attacks also occur against the backdrop of the Winter Olympics, a period traditionally associated with a cessation of hostilities. Sibiga’s reference to the Olympic truce underscores the stark contrast between the ideals of peaceful competition and the reality of ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
