KYIV (Reuters) – Russia pounded Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles on Tuesday in attacks that authorities said killed 18 people and wounded more than 100.
The attacks on cities including Kyiv and Dnipro followed Russian warnings of “systematic” strikes on the capital after a deadly drone attack on a dormitory in Ukraine’s Russian-held region of Luhansk last month. Kyiv denies targeting the dormitory.
It was the third heavy assault on Kyiv in under a month, but Russia has been relentlessly attacking Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, since it attacked its smaller neighbour in 2022.
U.S.-brokered talks on the war in Ukraine have stalled with Washington focusing on Iran, while Russian advances on the battlefield have slowed this year, and Kyiv has stepped up its strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia had fired 73 missiles and more than 600 drones in the overnight attack and again urged Washington to send additional Patriot missile interceptors to replenish Kyiv’s dwindling supplies.
“This was a large-scale attack and an absolutely clear statement from Russia: if Ukraine is not protected from ballistic and other missile strikes, these attacks will continue,” Zelenskiy said on Telegram.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday the war had entered “a new paradigm” after what it called “inhumane acts of terror” by Ukraine’s military against civilians. Moscow warned last week of systemic strikes and urged foreigners to leave Kyiv.
Zelenskiy sent a letter last week to U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress, asking for air defence systems. As of Monday, officials said he had not received a response.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged partners to take “concrete steps” to help Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia, appealing for tougher sanctions and more military support.
