Major Russian Drone and Missile Attack Kills at Least 6 in Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine — A large-scale Russian drone and missile attack across Ukraine overnight killed at least six people, including a woman and her two young daughters, and injured many others, officials said Wednesday. The strikes damaged homes and key infrastructure, triggering widespread power outages in multiple cities.

Authorities reported that Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Vinnytsia, and surrounding regions were targeted by repeated waves of missiles and drones. In the Kyiv region, a strike set fire to a house, killing a mother and her daughters aged six months and twelve years, according to regional head Mykola Kalashnyk. At least 18 people were injured in Kyiv alone.

The attacks came amid ongoing U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire and peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration over Russia’s refusal to budge on negotiations, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for increased international support, including long-range weaponry, sanctions, and coordinated diplomacy to pressure Moscow.

“This attack demonstrates the urgency of international cooperation and support for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. He is expected to travel to Stockholm for high-level diplomatic meetings with European leaders to strengthen military and economic assistance.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military reported retaliatory strikes on a chemical plant in Russia’s Bryansk region using British-made Storm Shadow missiles, which form part of the Russian defense and weapons manufacturing complex.

The attacks caused fires, shattered windows, and left debris scattered across residential buildings. Emergency services rescued several people trapped in apartment buildings, including children. Residents described the strikes as terrifying, with explosions shaking neighborhoods and fire spreading rapidly.

The assault also disrupted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing rolling blackouts in several regions. The strikes are seen as part of Russia’s strategy to weaken Ukraine’s power supply before the winter season.

Officials warned that continued attacks could further destabilize the region, while Zelenskyy emphasized that only coordinated international pressure could force Russia to negotiate seriously. The humanitarian impact, including casualties and infrastructure damage, underscores the ongoing threat to civilians.

 (AP)