A wave of Russian drone and missile strikes hit Kyiv and several Ukrainian cities on Friday, killing three emergency workers and injuring at least 49. President Zelensky condemned the attack and called on the international community to take decisive action.
Ukraine was rocked by a major aerial offensive from Russia early Friday, with missiles and drones targeting the capital, Kyiv, as well as cities in the northwest including Lutsk and the Ternopil region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that at least three people who were employees of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service were killed and 49 injured, though officials warned that casualty numbers may rise.
The strikes, which included more than 400 drones and over 40 missiles, disrupted civilian infrastructure and forced thousands into shelters. Kyiv’s metro system was shut down after shelling damaged train tracks, and a residential building was reportedly struck. Air raid sirens and loud explosions echoed through the capital for hours, as bursts of machine-gun fire signaled Ukrainian air defenses attempting to intercept incoming drones.
According to Ukraine’s air force, 38 cruise missiles were used in the attack which were similar to those targeted in Kyiv’s recent ‘Spider’s Web’ operation against Russian military bases suggesting Moscow’s assault may be a retaliatory gesture.
Zelensky Urges West to Respond
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), President Zelensky accused Russia of escalating the conflict and urged the West to act swiftly, he said “Now is exactly the moment when America, Europe, and everyone around the world can stop this war together by pressuring Russia.”
While not naming former U.S. President Donald Trump directly, Zelensky appeared to criticise international actors hesitant to pressure the Kremlin, he said, “If someone is not applying pressure and is giving the war more time to take lives that is complicity and accountability. We must act decisively.”
The Kremlin, in response, justified its assault as retaliation for recent “terrorist acts by the Kyiv regime”, claiming it had targeted military infrastructure.
Elsewhere, Ternopil’s military administration reported that Friday’s bombardment was the largest aerial attack on the region to date, with five people wounded and damage sustained by schools, homes, and government buildings. Lutsk’s mayor confirmed another five injuries following an attack involving 15 drones and six missiles.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed that its own air defences shot down 174 Ukrainian drones overnight in Russian territory and Crimea. It also reported intercepting Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles over the Black Sea.
Rising Tensions After ‘Spider’s Web’ Operation
Friday’s escalation follows Ukraine’s bold long-range drone campaign earlier this week, dubbed the “Spider’s Web” operation, which targeted four Russian airbases and reportedly damaged 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile fleet. Ukrainian officials described the attack as one of their most ambitious yet, involving 117 drones launched by the SBU security service.
Peace talks between the two countries, held recently in Istanbul, concluded without a breakthrough. Ukrainian representatives accused Moscow of rejecting calls for an unconditional ceasefire, while Russian negotiators proposed only limited, temporary truces in unspecified areas.
Adding to the international spotlight, former President Trump revealed he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on Wednesday. According to Trump, Putin vowed to respond “very strongly” to Ukraine’s drone offensive. Trump, who has faced criticism over his stance on Russia, warned that he would reevaluate the U.S. approach if Moscow continued to delay peace efforts.
