Six Dead and 80 Wounded in Russia's Retaliatory Airstrikes on Ukraine
Russia launches widespread missile and drone attack on Kyiv in early morning assault.

In the early hours of Friday, Russia unleashed a devastating barrage of missiles and drones on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, marking one of the most intense attacks in recent months. The assault, which struck as residents slept, left at least six people dead and created widespread panic as explosions echoed far beyond the capital, rattling cities across Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that three emergency responders lost their lives while attempting to save others during the onslaught in Kyiv. In the northern city of Chernihiv, two more fatalities were reported, and another casualty occurred in Lutsk in the country’s northwest. The total number of injured across all affected regions soared to at least eighty, as hospitals grappled with an influx of victims suffering from missile and shrapnel wounds.
The nationwide strikes came just hours after a stern warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who relayed through U.S. President Donald Trump that Moscow would retaliate following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks that destroyed multiple strategic bomber aircraft deep inside Russian territory. Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that Friday’s operation targeted what it described as military and related infrastructure in response to “terrorist acts” carried out by Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia deployed a staggering 407 drones—one of the largest numbers ever recorded in a single attack—alongside 45 cruise and ballistic missiles. Ukraine's air defense teams scrambled through the night to intercept the relentless waves, but many projectiles penetrated the defenses, causing significant destruction to civilian areas and critical infrastructure.
The impact on daily life was immediate and severe. Kyiv’s metro system was partially paralyzed when a Russian strike damaged tracks between stations, forcing authorities to halt services and stranding thousands of commuters. The state railway operator also announced the diversion of several train routes due to damage inflicted on rail lines outside the capital, further complicating travel and emergency responses.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and vowed continued resistance, as rescue operations pressed on amidst the rubble. In affected cities, emergency crews and volunteers worked to clear debris and provide aid to those caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict, now entering another phase of escalation and uncertainty.