ZELENSKYY STRIKES RUSSIAN PORT AS PUTIN POUND KYIV OVERNIGHT
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the overnight hours witnessed significant military exchanges with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy authorizing a bold strike on a strategic Russian port, while Russian President Vladimir Putin retaliated with a heavy missile and drone barrage targeting Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.
Ukrainian forces launched coordinated attacks involving over 200 drones aimed at Russia’s Black Sea port facilities and an oil depot, dealing a strategic blow to Russian supply lines and their ability to project naval power.
Ukrainian officials confirmed the strikes caused substantial damage to crucial infrastructure, underscoring Kyiv’s offensive capabilities deep inside Russian territory.
In response, Russian forces executed a large-scale missile and drone assault on Kyiv, hitting residential buildings, administrative offices, a school, and a medical facility scattered across the city.
“Russians are hitting residential buildings. There are a lot of damaged high-rise buildings throughout Kyiv, almost in every district,” he said.
The strikes triggered fires and explosions causing injuries to at least 11 people, including a pregnant woman in critical condition.
“This was a deliberately calculated attack aimed at causing maximum harm to people and civilian infrastructure. In Kyiv alone, dozens of apartment buildings have been damaged,” read part of the statement.
The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, urged residents to remain vigilant as emergency services responded to the chaos engulfing several districts.
This tit-for-tat exchange highlights a persistent escalation trend, with both sides escalating attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets to undermine each other’s economic stability and morale.
It further signals the Kremlin’s determination to pressure Ukraine politically by targeting its capital directly, even as Ukraine intensifies operations to disrupt Russian military logistics.
The international community has called for restraint and has expressed concern over the increasing targeting of civilian areas.
Analysts predict that such escalations may continue while diplomatic solutions remain stalled, with both Moscow and Kyiv maintaining uncompromising positions.