Zelensky Addresses the Impact of Russia’s Large-Scale Drone Attack on Kyiv and Odesa

Russia executed a strike involving 315 drones against Ukraine overnight, which President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized as “one of the largest” drone assaults on Kyiv. 

In the southern port city of Odesa, local authorities reported that a maternity ward was also impacted during the attacks.

Seven districts in Kyiv sustained damage, with fires reported in residential buildings, vehicles, warehouses, and high-rise structures. 

Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the city’s military administration, referred to it as “a tough night for all of us.” According to Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, four individuals were reportedly injured in the capital.

“Today marked one of the largest assaults on Kyiv,” Zelensky stated. “Russian missile and Shahed strikes overshadow the efforts of the United States and other nations worldwide to compel Russia towards peace.

Air raid sirens blared for hours as explosions reverberated throughout the city, with air defense systems operational all night.

In Odesa, at least two men lost their lives and nine others were injured.’

A maternity ward was among the structures hit, as reported by Andriy Yermak, Chief of Presidential Staff. Video footage depicted a hospital worker cleaning up shards of glass from the affected ward.

Residents recounted their harrowing experiences from the night. Violetta, 78, shared how her garage and the roof of her apartment were destroyed. “Thank God I’m not hurt,” she remarked. “My neighbor, a boy, was injured by flying glass and required stitches.”

Another resident, Lyudmila, 60, expressed, “It’s very frightening because it’s so close. Drones were buzzing around, making noise. In four years, this is the first time we’ve been struck. It’s very challenging mentally.”

Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed that Russia also launched two KN-23 ballistic missiles and five Iskander-K cruise missiles during the overnight attack.These strikes follow Russia’s largest drone assault on Monday, when it deployed 479 UAVs in a single night—marking the second consecutive weekend of record-setting drone strikes.