Ukrainians braced for a massive Russian strike, spending the night in underground shelters as missiles and drones pounded the capital, Kyiv.
At least six people were killed in Kyiv. In Dnipro, 16 died when residential buildings were hit. More than 90 were injured across both cities. Kharkiv also reported casualties, including a child.
In the Kyiv suburb of Vynohradar, high-rise apartments were shattered, cars incinerated. Resident Anna, surveying the wreckage, said: 'The whole of Ukraine is in grief. What have we done to deserve this?'
Rescuers, psychologists, and volunteers mobilized quickly. Yet, just blocks away, children played on swings, road workers laid tarmac, and buses ran on schedule. This is Kyiv's way of coping: no matter the blow, the city returns to its routines.