Russia Fires Hypersonic Missiles, 600 Drones at Ukraine

(MENAFN) Russia launched one of its most expansive assaults on Ukraine overnight, deploying a sweeping arsenal of advanced weaponry against military and industrial targets, as both nations traded accusations over mounting civilian casualties.

Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed Sunday that the strike drew on a broad weapons inventory, including Oreshnik ballistic missiles, Iskander aeroballistic missiles, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, Zircon cruise missiles, air-, sea- and ground-launched cruise missiles, and attack drones — marking one of the most technically diverse strikes of the conflict.

"The objectives of the strike were achieved. All designated targets were hit," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Moscow framed the assault as retaliation for what it described as Kyiv's recent strikes on civilian infrastructure inside Russian-controlled territory, specifically citing an attack on a college building and dormitory in Starobilsk, in the Russia-held section of the Luhansk Region. Authorities reported the death toll from that incident climbed to 21 after rescue operations concluded Sunday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put the scale of the overnight bombardment in stark terms, stating that Russia fired approximately 90 missiles of various types alongside roughly 600 drones. He confirmed at least 83 people were wounded and acknowledged fatalities, though he stopped short of providing a specific death toll.

Damage extended to Kyiv's diplomatic infrastructure. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha disclosed on X that a Foreign Ministry building had sustained damage during the overnight strikes, as heavy explosions were reported across the capital with air defense systems actively engaging incoming targets.

Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for Ukraine's Air Force, told Ukrainian media that Russia had also struck Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region — identified as a strategically significant military hub — in a follow-up attack linked to the Starobilsk operation.

On the diplomatic front, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced that more than 50 foreign journalists from 19 nations had traveled to Starobilsk to witness the aftermath firsthand.

"Media representatives from Austria, Brazil, Britain, Hungary, Venezuela, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Qatar, China, Cuba, Lebanon, the UAE, Pakistan, the US, Türkiye, Finland, and France are taking part in the trip," Zakharova said on Telegram.

She noted that BBC declined to participate in the press visit, while correspondents from CNN stated they were "on leave" and could not join.

Independent verification of competing battlefield claims from both sides remains limited, as the conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on civilian populations and critical infrastructure across the country.

MENAFN24052026000045017169ID1111161086