Russian strikes across Ukraine overnight killed at least nine people and wounded dozens, while Ukraine launched drone attacks inside Russia, officials said Tuesday.
Russian attacks hit Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleging the use of North Korean ballistic missiles in the strikes. In Zaporizhzhia, six people were killed and 19 wounded, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. Kyiv’s military administration reported fires in a central district after the strikes, with one person injured. Separate attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk region killed three more people, including a 15-year-old boy.
Ukraine retaliated with drone strikes in Russia’s Voronezh region, where one person was killed and two injured. Falling drone debris ignited fires at two warehouses belonging to the online retailer Wildberries, covering areas of 16,000 and 20,000 square meters, respectively. Russian authorities said their air defenses destroyed 15 drones over Voronezh and nearby districts.
Russian Strikes: Targets and Claims
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov stated that forces conducted high-precision strikes on military-industrial and transport-logistics centers in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. In Kyiv, targets included the Nova Poshta sorting complex and the Kyiv-3 logistics center, described as handling components for drones and electronic warfare equipment. In Zaporizhzhia, the Zaporizhstal metallurgical plant was struck, with Russia alleging its steel production supported military fortifications and armored vehicles.
Ukrainian Accusations and Escalation Warnings
President Zelenskyy asserted that Russia’s use of North Korean missiles marked a significant escalation, stating that Moscow could not sustain its campaign without Pyongyang’s support. He warned that North Korea’s missile capabilities were improving through collaboration with Russia, posing broader regional risks. Zelenskyy also called for increased sanctions on Russian enterprises fueling the war and additional air defense systems, citing a critical shortage of Patriot interceptors.
Cross-Border Attacks and Civilian Impact
In Kyiv, air raid sirens sounded as explosions were heard overnight. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported fires in a central district, though emergency services stated no casualties occurred at a children’s hospital hit by debris. In Zaporizhzhia, images shared by Fedorov showed damaged buildings and vehicles. Ukrainian health officials confirmed a children’s hospital was struck but noted patients and staff were in shelters at the time.
Russia’s Voronezh regional governor, Alexander Gusev, reported that Ukrainian drones triggered fires at Wildberries warehouses, with emergency crews working to contain the blazes. The company, described as Russia’s equivalent of Amazon, has faced repeated drone attacks in recent weeks.
International Context and Military Dynamics
Zelenskyy’s allegations of North Korean involvement align with prior reports from Western intelligence and South Korean authorities, which have accused Pyongyang of supplying weapons to Russia. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff estimated in late 2024 that over 1,000 North Korean troops were already deployed in Ukraine, with Ukraine capturing two wounded North Korean soldiers in January 2025.
The overnight strikes follow a pattern of intensified Russian missile barrages, likely exploiting Ukraine’s depleted air defense interceptors. Ukraine has responded by targeting deep into Russian territory, including strikes on petrochemical plants and logistics hubs. Zelenskyy vowed further deep strikes to demonstrate the need for peace negotiations.
Casualties and Damage Reports
- Ukraine: 9+ killed (6 in Zaporizhzhia, 3 in Dnipropetrovsk), 20+ wounded; fires in Kyiv.
- Russia: 1 killed, 2 wounded in Voronezh; fires at Wildberries warehouses covering 36,000+ square meters.
- Russian Defense Ministry: Claimed interception of 396 Ukrainian drones across 15 regions overnight.