Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that "insufficient or delayed" air defense supplies were responsible for the deaths of at least eight people across Ukraine during a wave of Russian drone and missile strikes overnight Wednesday into Thursday. Dozens more were injured in attacks that targeted Kyiv and nine other regions.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 284 drones and 70 missiles, including nine ballistic missiles. The force intercepted or suppressed 265 drones and 55 missiles, but preliminary information indicated that 11 missiles and 17 drones impacted across 20 locations.
"In a situation where we critically lack missiles for air defense from our partners, our soldiers are doing the seemingly impossible, demonstrating a very high level of professionalism," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. "This extraordinary expertise saves lives when the supply of missiles for air defense systems is insufficient or delayed."
He added, "This Russian terror once again proves: protecting against the Russian missile threat is the most important task for preserving the lives of our people. And this is a task that cannot be solely undertaken by Ukraine, by one country alone."
Zelenskyy emphasized the need for timely assistance and the swift implementation of agreements on additional interceptors. "All partners know how and what they can do to help. The lack of timely assistance, the delays in supplying anti-ballistic missiles -- these are the very destructions and the very casualties that, unfortunately, we are experiencing today. It is crucial to support the protection of life."
In the capital, Kyiv, at least one person was killed, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The western city of Lviv also sustained significant damage, with Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reporting that over 20 residential buildings, a school, and two kindergartens were damaged. At least 20 people were injured in Lviv, Sadovyi said.
Serhiy Kiral, Lviv's deputy mayor, told ABC News that rescue operations were ongoing in a residential area of the city. The Wednesday night attack was the most significant on Lviv since a drone strike in March.
During the strikes, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed a violation of Polish airspace by a Russian object. Poland's Operational Command stated that air defense systems were put on alert and F-16 fighters were scrambled in response to intense combat activity over the Ukrainian border. An unidentified object moving westward was detected in Polish airspace, but it disappeared from radar before definitive identification could be made. A search for the probable crash site in the Lublin Voivodeship was initiated.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported that the object that crossed into Poland was a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile, asserting that "terror clearly demonstrates that the need to strengthen ballistic protection for Ukraine and all of Europe is urgent."
Russia's Defense Ministry described its overnight barrage as a "massive strike" targeting military positions, military-industrial facilities, communication hubs, and logistics centers. The ministry also claimed its forces shot down at least 258 Ukrainian long-range drones overnight.