Russia conducted a "massive" overnight strike targeting sites in nine Ukrainian cities, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The ministry stated the targets included military-related facilities, such as industrial sites, oil refineries, logistics hubs, and port infrastructure. However, civilian areas were also affected, with one woman killed and at least nine others injured in various locations, Ukrainian officials reported.
Explosions were heard around the capital Kyiv during daylight hours Thursday, continuing an onslaught that began after nightfall Wednesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted on social media that Russia continues to invest in missiles and expand its war efforts, emphasizing the need for more countermeasures. He also highlighted European promises of additional air defense support earlier in the week.
"It is important that these (measures) are also supplemented by additional ballistic missile defense packages" through European purchases of weapons from the United States, Zelenskyy added.
Kyiv and Odesa Targeted
In Kyiv, four districts were hit overnight, damaging residential buildings, a school, and a medical facility, according to city police. No casualties were reported in the capital. In the central Poltava region, Russian forces struck industrial and energy infrastructure, stated Vitalii Diakivnych, head of the regional military administration.
The southern Odesa region experienced a prolonged Russian attack lasting more than seven hours, said Oleh Kiper, head of the regional administration. Damage was reported to a 16-story residential building, two educational facilities, and a grain elevator. Odesa is a critical port for Ukraine's grain and agricultural exports.
Ukrainian Drone Strikes
Ukraine has also conducted regular drone attacks on targets within Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 267 Ukrainian drones over 14 Russian regions, Crimea, the Sea of Azov, and the Black Sea. Recent Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted logistics facilities of Ozon, Russia's second-largest e-commerce company, following earlier attacks on warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer. Ozon reported that its logistics facilities in Orenburg and Ufa were attacked but did not catch fire.
Ukraine faces challenges with air defense, particularly a shortage of U.S.-made Patriot missiles needed to counter Russia's ballistic missiles and fast-flying drones. Ukrainian officials suggest Russia builds up missile stocks to launch major attacks periodically, aiming to deplete Ukrainian defenses through sheer volume. In response, Ukraine has targeted high-profile sites on Russian territory.
President Zelenskyy was scheduled to visit Moldova on Thursday to observe its national day, commemorating its independence from the Soviet Union, declared in the same year Ukraine became independent.