Russia and Ukraine exchanged overnight missile and drone strikes that killed civilians and injured dozens of people on both sides, according to local authorities, as attacks continued across the two countries.
In Ukraine, Russian missiles struck Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city, hitting a high rise apartment building in the Saltivskyi district. Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said two people were killed and 13 others injured.
In the southern port city of Odesa, eight more people were injured after what regional Governor Oleh Kiper described as an attack involving dozens of missiles and drones against the city and surrounding areas.
Ukraine has repeatedly warned that its air defence capabilities are under severe pressure, particularly because of shortages of interceptors for the U.S. made Patriot systems, which are among the few weapons capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly appealed to the United States and other allies for additional Patriot systems and ammunition, arguing that they are essential for protecting Ukrainian cities and civilians from Russian missile attacks.
Zelenskyy has also called for greater assistance in producing Patriot interceptors inside Ukraine. He has separately sought expanded technological and satellite support for Ukraine’s long range military operations.
Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Region
In Russia’s Belgorod region, Ukrainian drone attacks killed five people and injured about two dozen others, including a four year old boy, according to the regional administration.
Authorities said the attacks damaged 29 apartment buildings and five private houses, as well as administrative and commercial facilities.
In the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, falling debris from Ukrainian drones damaged private property and injured one person, according to Mayor Andrey Kravchenko and regional authorities.
Novorossiysk is home to a major oil terminal that handles crude from Kazakhstan and connects the country’s energy exports to international markets. The facility has previously been targeted in Ukrainian attacks.
Ukraine has increasingly used long range drones to strike Russian energy infrastructure, military facilities and other strategic targets deep inside Russia, while Russia has continued its large scale missile and drone campaign against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had destroyed 153 Ukrainian drones during the overnight attacks, including drones over occupied Crimea and the Black and Azov seas.
The ministry said Russian strikes targeted drone warehouses in the Kharkiv region as well as fuel depots and other military equipment belonging to Ukraine’s armed forces near Odesa.
Bulgaria Summons Ukrainian Ambassador
The latest escalation also created tensions beyond the immediate battlefield after Bulgaria summoned Ukraine’s ambassador over a drone incident in Bulgarian airspace.
Bulgaria’s public broadcaster BNT reported that a drone crossed into Bulgarian territory from Romania on Saturday and exploded near an international gas pipeline. No casualties or significant damage were reported.
Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry said the drone appeared to be a type used by Ukrainian forces and suggested the incident was likely accidental.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said it was investigating the incident and denied that Bulgaria had been deliberately targeted. Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said Kyiv remained in close contact with Sofia to establish what had happened.
The latest attacks underscore the widening reach of the Russia Ukraine war, with both sides increasingly relying on long range missiles and drones while civilian areas and critical infrastructure remain vulnerable.
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