Russia targeted eight regions of Ukraine in its latest overnight drone and missile barrage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday. Local authorities reported that the strikes wounded more than two dozen civilians, including three children.
Russian forces fired 524 attack drones and 22 ballistic and cruise missiles, Zelenskyy stated. The Dnipropetrovsk region bombardment lasted six hours, hitting energy facilities and residential buildings. At least 26 people, including two children, were wounded in the region, Ukraine’s emergency service said. Damage was also reported in Odesa, Chernihiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
“Air raid alerts remain in effect across many border and frontline communities, but our services are operating wherever the security situation allows,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Russia relies on ballistic missiles to strike people and that is precisely why we in Europe must do everything possible to ensure reliable protection against this.”
Russia’s Defence Ministry said air defenses downed 50 Ukrainian drones from late Sunday through early Monday.
The barrage continued a recent spiral of long-range strikes that have grown in scale following a May 9-11 ceasefire that US President Donald Trump requested but which had little impact. There is no sign a peace deal is taking shape despite US-led diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Ukraine has built up its own long-range capabilities, hitting oil facilities deep inside Russia. Zelenskyy claimed a significant shift: “Our long-range capabilities are significantly changing the situation.” Putin is due to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week.