Kyiv, May 25, 2025 — Ukraine witnessed one of the most intense aerial assaults since the beginning of the war, as Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles across the country in a coordinated overnight attack. The devastating strike resulted in at least 13 deaths and dozens of injuries, with the capital Kyiv among the hardest-hit areas.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the Russian military deployed a combination of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and Shahed drones in a wide-scale offensive targeting infrastructure and civilian areas. The air raid began in the early hours of Saturday and continued for several hours.
In Kyiv alone, 11 people were reported injured as debris from intercepted drones and missiles rained down across the city. Emergency services rushed to extinguish fires and rescue people trapped in damaged residential buildings.
The western region of Khmelnytskyi also bore the brunt of the attack, with several fatalities reported and widespread damage to energy facilities. Explosions were also heard in Lviv, Vinnytsia, and other major cities, triggering nationwide air raid alerts.
Ukrainian Air Force officials claim to have intercepted a significant number of the incoming threats, preventing even greater loss of life. “Our air defense systems performed heroically under overwhelming pressure,” said Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes as “a brutal attempt to terrorize civilians and break our spirit.” In a statement, he called on the international community to respond with increased military support and sanctions on Russia.
This latest escalation marks a significant intensification in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns over further Russian offensives as the war enters a critical phase.
The United Nations and NATO have expressed deep concern over the attack, urging both sides to exercise restraint and calling for renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
