Russia launched a massive wave of drone and missile strikes across Ukraine early Friday, killing at least four people in Kyiv and injuring around 40 others nationwide, in what appears to be a retaliatory strike following Ukraine’s audacious attacks on Russian military assets.
According to Ukrainian officials, the pre-dawn assault involved at least 38 cruise missiles, six ballistic missiles, and over 400 drones. The country’s Air Force described it as one of the most intense coordinated attacks in recent months.
In Kyiv, where at least four civilians were confirmed dead, including three firefighters, rescue operations continued throughout the day as emergency crews combed through destroyed apartments. Images showed gaping holes in buildings and shattered cars buried in rubble.
Chernihiv, near the Belarus border, was hit by 14 explosions, reportedly from Iskander-M and cruise missiles, according to regional military administrator Vyacheslav Chaus. In the western city of Lutsk, roughly 60 miles from Poland, five civilians were injured after multiple missiles struck the area, causing fiery explosions.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said approximately 40 people were wounded across the country, underscoring the widespread impact of the strikes.
The barrage follows a series of bold Ukrainian operations inside Russian territory, including drone attacks on airfields that damaged or destroyed strategic long-range bombers. Ukraine also targeted the Kerch Bridge linking Russia to Crimea earlier this week, using over a ton of underwater explosives.
A residential multi-storey building is seen damaged after a Russian drone strike on Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 6, 2025. Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
In what appeared to be a response to those attacks, a Ukrainian drone reportedly struck an industrial site in the Russian city of Engels, a location tied to Moscow’s bomber fleet, igniting a large fire.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted 174 Ukrainian drones overnight and shot down three Neptune-MD guided missiles over the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, diplomatic tension simmered as President Vladimir Putin reportedly discussed retaliatory action with former U.S. President Donald Trump in a recent phone call. Ukrainian officials expressed outrage over Trump’s failure to urge restraint, particularly after he likened the war to a “brawl between children” during Oval Office remarks.
Analysts warn that Russia could escalate further by deploying newer medium-range ballistic missiles with advanced warheads, a tactic seen last year during a strike on Dnipro.
As Ukraine braces for additional assaults, its air defense remains heavily reliant on U.S. and NATO support. However, recent signals from Washington suggest a shift in priorities, with some critical defense systems being redirected to U.S. forces in the Middle East.
Written By Rodney Mbua
