Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Russia and Ukraine exchanged another round of deadly overnight attacks as the nearly four-year war entered a fresh phase of escalation. Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone barrage targeting several Ukrainian cities, killing at least seven people and damaging homes and critical infrastructure.
In response, Ukraine carried out long-range drone strikes inside Russian territory, hitting industrial facilities and strategic targets. The renewed violence came as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara for their annual summit, where Ukraine’s security, military aid and future defence cooperation topped the agenda.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Russia Intensifies Air Assault as NATO Summit Opens
Russia launched another large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Ukraine, killing at least seven people across multiple regions, just as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara to discuss military support for Kyiv and Europe’s security.
The latest wave of strikes came only days after another deadly assault on Kyiv, highlighting Moscow’s continued reliance on long-range missiles and drones despite growing international pressure.
Ukraine responded by carrying out drone strikes deep inside Russian territory, targeting industrial facilities and energy-related infrastructure. The fresh exchange of attacks unfolded as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared to urge NATO allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities during the alliance’s annual summit.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Missile & Drone Attacks Kill Seven Across Ukraine
Ukrainian authorities said Russia launched 169 drones along with five ballistic missiles during the overnight assault. Air defence systems intercepted more than 80 per cent of the drones, but officials acknowledged they failed to stop any of the ballistic missiles, which caused significant damage in several regions.
The attacks affected multiple parts of the country:
- One woman was killed, and two others were injured in Kyiv after missile strikes sparked fires in several districts.
- A mother and daughter lost their lives in the southern Mykolaiv region after guided aerial bombs struck residential areas.
- Two people were killed, and around 20 others were injured in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region when a residential building was hit.
- Two more people died in separate attacks in the frontline Kherson region.
The latest assault marked the third major Russian strike on Kyiv within a week, underscoring the growing intensity of Moscow’s aerial campaign.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Ukraine Hits Russian Industrial Targets With Drone Strikes
Ukraine also carried out overnight drone attacks inside Russia, continuing its strategy of targeting industrial and energy facilities that support Moscow’s war effort.
Russian officials confirmed that one person was killed in the Saratov region after Ukrainian drones damaged civilian industrial sites. Reports from Russia’s Tatarstan region also indicated casualties and damage in the city of Nizhnekamsk, home to one of Russia’s major oil refineries.
Ukraine has increasingly expanded its long-range drone operations, aiming to disrupt Russian logistics and economic infrastructure far from the front lines.
On Wednesday, Ukraine’s drone forces commander Robert Brovdi said Ukrainian drones had struck nine additional Russian “shadow fleet” tankers in the Sea of Azov, bringing the total number of damaged vessels over the previous 72 hours to 19. The Sea of Azov remains a crucial supply route for Russian forces operating in Crimea and occupied southern Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: NATO Summit Dominated by Ukraine War
The latest escalation coincided with NATO’s annual summit in Ankara, where leaders focused heavily on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, defence spending and future military assistance for Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seeking stronger commitments from allies, particularly additional air defence systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles following the recent attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Ahead of key meetings, Zelenskyy announced new defence cooperation agreements with Estonia, the Netherlands and Denmark.
The agreements create “new opportunities for joint production, the development of innovative defence technologies, systematic exchange of expertise, and the export of Ukrainian battlefield-proven solutions”, he said.
Additional defence cooperation agreements are also expected with Germany, Norway, Finland and Canada.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Trump Expected to Meet Zelenskyy During NATO Gathering
US President Donald Trump is expected to hold talks with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit after previously speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
When asked about the war, Trump expressed optimism that negotiations could eventually produce a settlement.
“I think they both want to make a deal,” Trump said. “It’s too bad it took so long, but I think something’s going to come out.”
The expected meeting comes as Ukraine continues to push for greater Western military assistance while Russia maintains pressure through sustained missile and drone attacks. NATO leaders are also discussing long-term defence commitments and additional support packages for Kyiv during the two-day summit.
