Russian overnight strikes kill 18 across Ukraine, Zelensky says

Russian missile and drone attacks killed at least 18 people across Ukraine overnight into Tuesday, including two children, Ukrainian officials said. The strikes hit multiple regions, including Kyiv and the central city of Dnipro, and damaged civilian infrastructure and energy facilities, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In Dnipro, 12 people were killed after an apartment block was struck, including an eight-year-old boy and another child, regional officials said. In the capital, Kyiv authorities reported six deaths.

Zelensky said more than 100 people were injured nationwide. He said the attack left widespread damage, including destroyed buildings and blackouts in affected areas.

Scale of the attack and targets

Zelensky said Russia launched 656 strike drones and 73 missiles of various types during the overnight assault. He said the strikes targeted civilian infrastructure and energy facilities across the country.

Kyiv officials reported damage to residential buildings and other civilian sites. Zelensky said emergency crews were working at multiple locations as authorities assessed the full extent of the destruction.

Russian response and air-defense appeal

Russia’s defense ministry said the strikes were a response to earlier Ukrainian attacks. It said in a statement that all “strike objectives” had been achieved and described the targets as Ukrainian military infrastructure.

Zelensky again urged additional U.S. assistance, saying Ukraine needed missiles for Patriot air-defense systems, which he said were in short supply. He linked that shortfall to strains on interceptor availability.

Officials have not provided a final damage tally, and recovery work was continuing on Tuesday. Further updates are expected as local authorities complete search and rescue operations and restore power in affected areas.