Russia Launches Unprecedented Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine, Marking the War’s Largest Assault Yet
Kyiv, Ukraine (May 2025) – Ukraine faced an unprecedented aerial assault as Russia launched a record-breaking drone and missile attack for the second consecutive night, targeting Kyiv and multiple regions across the country. The attack claimed at least 12 lives and left dozens injured, making it the largest single aerial strike since the full-scale war began in 2022.
According to Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia fired 367 aerial weapons, including 69 missiles and 298 Iranian-made Shahed drones. He described it as “the most massive strike in terms of air attack weapons on Ukrainian territory” since the invasion’s start.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that over 30 cities and villages, including Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, Poltava, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy, were hit in the bombardment. Many civilian structures, including residential buildings, were destroyed or severely damaged.
Amid the chaos, Zelenskyy renewed his call for stronger international sanctions on Russia, emphasizing that “without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped.” He urged the United States, European nations, and global allies to take decisive action.
The attack coincided with Kyiv Day, a national holiday commemorating the city’s founding in the 5th century, adding to the emotional toll on Ukrainians. Fires engulfed homes and businesses in various regions, including Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Khmelnytskyi. Tragic reports emerged of civilian casualties, including three children aged 8, 12, and 17 killed in Zhytomyr.
Explosions echoed across Kyiv throughout the night, with residents seeking shelter in subway stations. In the capital alone, four people were killed, and 16 were injured, while in Khmelnytskyi, four more fatalities were reported. A drone strike in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district set a student dormitory ablaze, while in Dniprovskyi district, a private home was destroyed.
Despite the large-scale offensive, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 110 Ukrainian drones overnight, though no comment was issued by Moscow regarding the attack.
The strikes came amidst a major prisoner exchange between the two countries—the largest of its kind in over three years. On Saturday, each side released 307 prisoners, following a previous release of 390 combatants and civilians on Friday. The swap, a rare moment of cooperation, is expected to continue.
For many Ukrainians, the aftermath of the attack was devastating. In Markhalivka village, near Kyiv, residents compared the destruction to war-torn cities like Bakhmut and Mariupol. Liubov Fedorenko, 76, tearfully recalled how she had tried to persuade her daughter to visit but was relieved she hadn’t—her home was destroyed in the attack, with the children’s rooms hit directly. Her husband, Ivan, 80, mourned their two dogs, who perished in the fire.
The situation remains volatile as battles rage along the 1,000-kilometer front line, with no signs of a ceasefire. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the war shows no sign of slowing, and the human toll continues to mount.
Thanks for the article