Russia launches mass drone and missile attack on Kyiv; 181 UAVs downed, one dead

Russia launched multiple waves of missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including Kyiv, resulting in at least 7 confirmed fatalities and numerous injuries, hours after signaling readiness for peace talks. These strikes, some involving ballistic and cluster-tipped missiles, contradict diplomatic overtures and indicate a coercive bargaining tactic or internal divergence within Russian leadership. The sustained targeting of civilian infrastructure and urban centers underscores Russia's intent to maintain military pressure despite peace signals.

Overnight Russian forces conducted multiple mass drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, primarily targeting Kyiv and surrounding regions, resulting in at least 9 confirmed civilian fatalities and 45 wounded. The scale and frequency of these aerial assaults, involving Iskander-K cruise missiles, S-400, Zircon, Onyx missiles, and hundreds of Shahed drones, indicate a sustained and intensified campaign against Ukrainian urban centers. The high number of intercepted UAVs (e.g., 181 out of 210) highlights robust Ukrainian air defense capabilities, yet significant civilian harm persists.