Russia launches largest missile, drone barrage on Kyiv since war in Ukraine began

The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched a staggering 550 drones and missiles overnight, primarily Shahed drones, along with 11 missiles. (File photo)

Ukraine’s capital endured its most intense aerial assault since Russia's full-scale invasion began over three years ago, with a massive overnight barrage of drones and missiles killing one person and wounding at least 26 others.

The seven-hour assault caused widespread destruction across Kyiv and further underscored Moscow’s escalating military push to seize more Ukrainian territory.

The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched a staggering 550 drones and missiles overnight, primarily Shahed drones, along with 11 missiles.

Air raid sirens blared across Kyiv as explosions lit up the night sky and sent panicked residents rushing to shelters. Emergency responders reported damage across at least 33 sites, including five of the city’s 10 districts.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack “cynical,” describing it as a “harsh, sleepless night” for the capital. He also confirmed that five ambulances were damaged during rescue efforts and that over 300 tons of debris had to be cleared by emergency services.

Hours after the attack, Zelenskyy held what he described as a “very important and productive” phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. The leaders discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defences, the possibility of joint weapons production—particularly in drone technology—and broader cooperation to end the war.

Zelenskyy also extended Independence Day greetings to Trump and thanked the U.S. for its continued support. He added that discussions included plans for future meetings between their teams to enhance strategic cooperation and mutual defence projects.

Meanwhile, the White House did not immediately comment on the call.

Zelenskyy has been pushing to boost Ukraine’s domestic defence manufacturing capabilities, though he acknowledged that such expansion will take time. The U.S. has recently paused some shipments of air defence missiles, prompting concern among Kyiv’s European allies who are now assessing how to fill the gap.

In addition to the capital, Russian strikes also hit the Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions. Ukraine’s air defences managed to shoot down 270 aerial targets, while 208 others disappeared from radar—likely jammed. However, Russia successfully struck eight sites using nine missiles and 63 drones.

Emergency services reported severe damage, and officials confirmed that at least 14 of the wounded were hospitalised in Kyiv alone.

The night’s assault follows a record-breaking month of Russian attacks - in June alone, Russia launched over 5,400 drones and more than 330 missiles, including nearly 80 ballistic missiles, according to Ukrainian officials.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the latest assault as “one of the worst so far,” while Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko called it “a deliberate act of terror,” citing mass destruction and families forced to seek shelter in metro stations and basements.

Elsewhere on Friday, another prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine took place, though details remained sparse. Zelenskyy said most of the returned Ukrainian soldiers were classified as “wounded and seriously ill” and had been in Russian captivity since 2022.

On the same day, President Trump also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. When asked about the outcome of that conversation, Trump expressed disappointment, saying, “I don’t think he’s looking to stop [the fighting], and that’s too bad.”

Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, later said Russia remains committed to achieving its objectives in Ukraine, which include removing what it calls the “root causes” of the conflict.

The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, continues to drag on with mounting casualties and no clear resolution in sight. Peace talks have yielded little beyond occasional prisoner exchanges, and no future negotiations have been announced.

As Russia intensifies its long-range assaults and Ukraine scrambles to reinforce its defences, both military and diplomatic fronts appear to be locked in stalemate, leaving civilians to endure the brunt of the conflict.