Russia Launches Largest Attack on Ukraine, Fires 400 Drones, 40 Missiles Nationwide
Russia launched over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles across nine regions of Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, Lviv, and Sumy, on Saturday. The strike came in apparent retaliation to Ukraine’s recent Operation Spiderweb, which targeted Russia’s cruise missile carriers.
Ukrainian authorities confirmed that at least six people were killed, including three firefighters in Kyiv, and over 80 others injured, with many still feared trapped under debris.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the scale and devastation of the attack:
> “Today, rescue and emergency operations continued all day across various regions and cities of our country. Over 400 drones, more than 40 missiles were launched by the Russians. 80 people were injured, and some may still be under the debris.”
The Ukrainian State Emergency Service confirmed multiple casualties, including two civilians killed in Lutsk and one in Chernihiv. The full extent of damage is still being assessed, as strikes were spread across critical infrastructure and residential zones.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence stated that the strikes were in response to what it called “terrorist acts” by Kyiv, referring to Operation Spiderweb, in which Ukrainian forces reportedly damaged one-third of Russia’s strategic cruise missile launchers.
Moscow’s message was clear: any assault on its military assets will be met with overwhelming force. The attack is being interpreted as both a tactical response and a psychological operation to dampen Ukrainian morale and international support.
President Zelensky criticized the global community’s muted response, saying:
> “Unfortunately, not everyone in the world condemns such attacks. This is exactly what Putin exploits. He is buying himself time to keep waging war.”
He reiterated Ukraine’s call for stronger diplomatic pressure on Russia and emphasized the need for security guarantees and a ceasefire roadmap to stop further aggression.
While official numbers stand at six dead, rescue teams fear the toll could rise as they continue to dig through rubble in several cities. Emergency sirens blared through the night, and videos shared on social media showed burning buildings, destroyed fire trucks, and residents scrambling for shelter.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko condemned the attacks, calling them “cowardly, indiscriminate violence against civilians.”
The full-scale war, now into its third year, has seen hundreds of such attacks, but this latest offensive marks a dramatic escalation in both scale and coordination. Analysts suggest the pattern indicates Russia’s increasing reliance on drone warfare, combined with strategic missile targeting.
In previous months, Ukraine had been making strides with counteroffensive operations, particularly with Western support and advanced drone tactics.
