Russia Launches Retaliatory Strikes on Ukraine Cities

Russia launched a missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing at least four people and wounding 20, in a retaliatory strike days after Ukraine's drone attack on Russian airfields and a bombing of the Kerch Bridge. The Ukrainian capital is frequently targeted by Russian drones and missiles, and authorities had been bracing for a major retaliatory strike promised by President Vladimir Putin. The attack damaged residential areas, including a high-rise building, and sparked fires across the city, with Ukrainian air defense units activated to repel the assault. The strike comes as Russia's President Putin had told US President Donald Trump that Russia would respond to Ukraine's attacks, with Trump not pressing Putin to temper his response.

Russia has vowed to repair warplanes damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stating they were "not destroyed but damaged" and will be repaired. Ukraine claimed its forces destroyed 40 of Russia's most powerful bomber jets and surveillance planes in the attack, dubbed "Operation Spider's Web." However, satellite images show extensive damage to the planes, and US officials believe up to 20 warplanes were hit, with 10 destroyed. The Ukrainian president personally oversaw the strike, which was over 18 months in the making. Russia's President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump that Russia will have to respond to the drone strikes.

A Russian drone strike in Ukraine killed at least five people, including a 1-year-old and his mother and grandmother, hours after President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that six drones hit the city of Pryluky, resulting in a rescue operation that ended in tragedy for one first responder who lost his family in the attack. Trump stated that his conversation with Putin was "good" but wouldn't lead to immediate peace, and discussed Ukraine's recent attack on Russia's warplanes and Moscow's intent to respond, which appears to have occurred in Pryluky.

Russia launched a large-scale assault on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, with air defense crews racing to combat ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. Multiple fires were reported in Kyiv, including at a 16-story apartment block, with at least three people injured. The attack is part of a broader escalation, with Russia having launched over 1,000 drones per week at Ukraine in recent months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia has used nearly 27,700 aerial bombs, 11,200 Shahed drones, and over 700 missiles against Ukraine since the start of the year. The attack comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned US President Trump that Russia would retaliate against Ukraine for a recent drone attack on Russian airfields.