In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing war, Russia has launched a massive, coordinated attack on Ukraine in retaliation to Kyiv's recent covert operations dubbed "Operation Spider Web." The offensive, carried out in the early hours of Thursday, involved a barrage of ballistic missiles and swarms of drones fired from multiple directions, targeting key Ukrainian infrastructure and defense sites.
According to Russian military officials, the strike was designed as a "comprehensive and strategic response" to Ukraine's increasing cross-border sabotage missions, which have recently intensified under Operation Spider Web—a series of reported attacks on Russian military and intelligence assets near the border.
Eyewitnesses and Ukrainian authorities reported loud explosions in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro, as emergency sirens wailed through the night. Ukraine's Air Force claimed it intercepted several drones and missiles, though significant damage was inflicted on energy grids and military warehouses in central and eastern Ukraine.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that high-precision weapons were used to hit "military-industrial facilities and ammunition depots supporting the Ukrainian army." The Kremlin further alleged that the strikes were a direct consequence of Ukraine’s attempt to destabilize Russian territories, accusing Western nations of providing Kyiv with intelligence and tactical support.
In response, Ukraine’s presidential office condemned the attacks as an act of "war terrorism," vowing a swift and proportionate response. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated calls for more advanced air defense systems from Western allies, especially in light of Russia’s growing reliance on long-range precision weapons.
This latest escalation comes at a time of heightened tensions on the global stage, with NATO and EU leaders expressing concern over the rapid militarization and the increasing risk of the conflict spilling beyond Ukrainian borders.
The international community is now closely monitoring developments, as fears grow that both sides may be preparing for a prolonged and deadlier phase of the conflict.
