Russia Launches 'Massive Attack' Across Ukraine

A barrage of Russian air strikes were reported across Ukraine on Friday, with targets including a shopping mall, a maternity hospital, a school, and residential buildings, Ukrainian officials said.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia used a combination of cruise missiles and drones in the overnight assault. Explosions were reported in the capital Kyiv, in Lviv and Odesa in the west, as well as in Dnipro and Kharkiv in the east. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia struck Ukraine overnight with around 110 missiles.

"Around 110 Russian missiles and numerous drones were used to target civilians in Ukraine," Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said on X. "A maternity ward, schools, hospitals, residential buildings, and commercial facilities were all targeted."

The Ukrainian Air Force said it shot down 114 out of 158 missiles and drones launched overnight, including 87 cruise missiles and 27 Shahed drones.

So far, 12 people have been reported dead and over 75 have been wounded in the attack, Ukraine's Internal Affairs Ministry said.

"Russia again massively attacked Ukraine just as people were sleeping or going to work. This time [Russia] used almost everything it stockpiled: missiles, drones, deploying around 18 strategic bombers," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Kremlin has yet to comment on the attack. Newsweek has contacted the foreign ministries of Russia and Ukraine for comment via email.

Russian forces have also frequently used Shahed drones, also known as kamikaze or suicide drones, throughout the war that was launched by President Vladimir Putin in February 2022.

"A massive attack by terrorists, rockets are flying over our cities again, an attack on civilians," Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelensky's office, said on his Telegram channel.

Serhiy Popko, the head of the capital's military administration, said Kyiv was attacked by dozens of missiles of various types. He said they approached the city in waves and from multiple directions, causing destruction and casualties.

Fires have been reported across the city, likely from falling debris.

In Dnipro, a maternity ward was damaged, the regional governor said, adding that there were no casualties reported.

A video circulating on social media purported to show the moment when parts of a Russian rocket struck an apartment building in Kyiv. Another clip appears to show a shopping mall on fire.

"Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal: 'Kindzhals,' S-300s, cruise missiles, and drones. Strategic bombers launched X-101/X-505 missiles. A total of around 110 missiles were fired against Ukraine, with the majority of them being shot down," Zelensky said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, there have been fatalities and injuries as a result of the strikes," he said, adding that emergency services are working "around the clock" and providing the necessary aid.

"My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured," Zelensky added. "We will surely respond to terrorist strikes. And we will continue to fight for the security of our entire country, every city, and every citizen. Russian terror must and will lose."

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Update 12/29/23, 7:33 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.