Russia launched one of its largest ballistic missile and drone assaults on Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion, killing at least eight people, injuring dozens and inflicting widespread damage across several cities, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday.
The attacks struck Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Sumy, while Ukrainian authorities also reported a deadly missile strike on a Turkish-owned cargo ship in the Black Sea, as both sides intensified long-range attacks on military and energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the overnight bombardment as “one of the most massive ballistic attacks” on Kyiv since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.
According to Ukrainian officials, four people were killed in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv after a Russian strike hit a postal terminal, while an elderly woman died in Kyiv. Two other people were killed in Zaporizhzhia and one person died in Sumy.
Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said the victims were men aged between 24 and 62, adding that several of the injured remained in critical condition.
Ukraine’s military said its air defence systems intercepted 18 of the 41 missiles fired at Kyiv, as well as 108 drones launched during the overnight assault.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia deployed a combination of Iskander ballistic missiles, hypersonic Zircon missiles and 125 drones in the latest barrage.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said residential and commercial buildings, including a supermarket and a student dormitory, were damaged during the attack.
Ukraine’s emergency services said firefighters battled major blazes at two warehouses, while a logistics hub in Bucha district near Kyiv was also struck, leaving two people injured.
In a post on Telegram, Zelensky said Russia had dramatically intensified its attacks over the past week. “In the past week alone, Russia has used about 1,450 strike drones, more than 1,640 guided bombs and 99 missiles of various types against Ukraine.”
Late on Sunday, Ukraine’s navy said five people were killed when a Turkish-owned civilian cargo ship carrying grain was struck by Russian missiles in the Black Sea. Russia did not immediately comment on the allegation.
Ukraine also announced a series of retaliatory strikes against Russian energy infrastructure.
Zelensky said Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) simultaneously struck three oil depots in Russia’s Stavropol region, while the armed forces targeted another fuel facility. “Precise hits on three Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tankers were record in the Black Sea. I thank every one of our units that is helping to spread the realisation within Russia that this war must be brought to an end.”
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium confirmed that its terminal at Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk had been hit, damaging two tankers and forcing a suspension of oil-loading operations. It said there were no injuries or oil spills.
Authorities in Russia’s Stavropol region also reported a drone attack that sparked a fire at an industrial park.
The latest escalation follows Ukrainian drone strikes on two warehouses belonging to Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, which Russian authorities said killed eight people and injured dozens.
Ukraine has stepped up long-range attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure in recent weeks, arguing that oil and gas facilities are legitimate military targets because they finance Moscow’s war effort.
Earlier this month, Kyiv claimed nearly 43 per cent of Russia’s oil refining capacity had been disabled by Ukrainian strikes, although the figure has not been independently verified.
As Russia intensifies missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, Zelensky renewed calls for additional air defence systems from Ukraine’s allies. “Protection against ballistic missiles is our constant and top priority right now. Interceptors are needed every day.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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