Putin launches war’s biggest air attack blitzing Ukraine with 367 missiles and drones as Nato jets scrambled & 13 killed
VLADIMIR Putin last night launched the war’s biggest air assault on Ukraine – blitzing multiple cities and killing 13 people including three children
Nato scrambled fighter jets after the Russian forces launched 367 missiles and drones in the largest single attack since the start of the war in 2022.
Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, said Moscow used a mix of 69 ballistic and cruise missiles and 298 drones, including Iranian-designed Shahed drones.
It was the most massive strike in terms of the number of air attack weapons on the territory of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Ihnat said.
Sounds of explosions boomed throughout the night as Ukrainian air defence forces worked to thwart the Russian onslaught.
Footage showed emergency responders trying to extinguish fires as smoke billowed from cars and houses.
At least four people were killed in Kyiv with another 26 wounded.
In Zhytomyr region, west of Kyiv, three children were killed, aged eight, 12 and 17, according to the emergency service.
Polish military high command said it had deployed “all available forces and resources” on Nato’s eastern flank.
It added: “On-duty fighter pairs have been scrambled, and the ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness.
“The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the areas bordering the threatened areas.”
The attack took place on the third day of a planned prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine – an outcome of last week’s peace talks in Istanbul.
Ukraine boss Volodymyr Zelensky called it a “terrorist strike” on Ukraine and accused him of dragging his feet through the war.
He said: These were deliberate strikes on ordinary cities. Ordinary residential buildings were destroyed and damaged.
“Rescuers have been working in more than 30 Ukrainian cities and villages following Russia’s massive strike.
“Each such terrorist Russian strike is a sufficient reason for new sanctions against Russia.
“Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day.”
Yesterday, the Russian forces launched a massive air assault on Kyiv with 250 drones and 14 Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
The attacks over the past 48 hours were among the most intense Russian aerial strikes on Ukraine since the February 2022 full-scale invasion.
Apartment blocks were set ablaze by the barrage as residents in the Ukrainian capital fled to underground shelters amid the sound of anti-aircraft fire.
Explosions rocked the city during a seven hour raid as fireballs lit up the skyline long into the early hours.
Six of the warheads and 245 drones were shot out of the sky as debris rained down.
In response, President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “Unfortunately, the Russians show no signals of a ceasefire.”
Tymur Tkachenko, acting head of Kyiv’s military administration, said missile and drone debris hit at least four districts in the capital, sparking fires and damaging homes.
It came just hours after the biggest prisoner of war swap since the start of the war saw hundreds returned home.
Hundreds more followed yesterday as part of a deal that will see 1,000 released by both sides.
Zelensky said 307 Ukrainian troops were brought home on Saturday, a day after 390 were freed in an earlier phase of the exchange.
Russia’s defence ministry confirmed the same number of prisoners returned to its side.
On his Telegram channel, Zelensky added: “We expect more to come tomorrow.”
The deal was struck earlier this month during the first face-to-face talks between Kyiv and Moscow since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
The meeting, held in Istanbul, laid out plans for a 1,000-person swap.
But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was no agreement on where the next round of talks would take place.
European leaders including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of dragging his feet in peace efforts.
Military analysts believe he is trying to press home his advantage and capture more Ukrainian land.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said a draft document with Moscow’s proposed peace terms would be shared once the prisoner exchange was complete.
US President Donald Trump claimed the latest exchange could be the “first step” toward ending the war – revealing he spoke with Putin for two hours earlier this week.
He wrote on Truth Social: “This could lead to something big???”
Putin described the call as “very productive” and said Russia was “ready to work with the Ukrainian side” – but insisted any deal must include compromises from both nations.
