Russian forces launched a heavy assault on Ukrainian ports, industrial areas, and retailers’ distribution centers using missiles and drones in a sustained attack on Kyiv and other cities, as reported by Ukrainian officials on Thursday. The capital witnessed commuters heading to work amidst the sounds of air defense systems engaging waves of drones following an intense overnight bombardment that included ballistic missiles and 258 drones, according to the Ukrainian military.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia conducted a significant strike against Ukraine overnight, targeting various critical infrastructure such as ports, grain storage facilities, energy installations, and industrial sites using ballistic and hypersonic missiles along with combat drones. The Ukrainian military reported successfully intercepting seven ballistic missiles, showcasing an improved defense capability, potentially aided by the recent supply of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors, as mentioned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In response, Russia claimed to have been under attack overnight, with a drone strike temporarily shutting down a logistics facility operated by the online retailer Ozon in Ufa. Ukraine, in its efforts against e-commerce giants supporting Russia’s war efforts, had previously targeted multiple Ozon facilities, including those of online retailer Wildberries.
The UK pledged support to Ukraine by offering access to classified technology for producing Storm Shadow cruise missiles. However, Moscow issued a warning on potential strikes against British military targets both within and outside Ukraine in retaliation to Ukrainian attacks using British weaponry.
Air-raid sirens continued to sound in Kyiv as attack drones roamed across neighborhoods, causing debris to injure four individuals. In Kharkiv, one person was killed and two were injured during an attack on a shopping center. Additionally, strikes hit a distribution center of major Ukrainian retailer COMFY and another facility of a prominent toy company in the Kyiv area, as confirmed by their respective chief executives on social media.
Further industrial sites, energy facilities, and infrastructure in regions like Poltava, Odesa, and Kryvyi Rih were targeted by Russian strikes, causing disruptions in train services across several areas. Moreover, Moldovan authorities condemned the violation of their airspace by six Russian drones, with one of them being found within Moldovan territory.
