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Russia launches massive drone and missile assault on Ukraine
New Delhi: The war in Ukraine has entered a perilous new phase, with Russia unleashing a massive overnight drone and missile offensive targeting eight regions across the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces launched 524 drones along with 22 ballistic and cruise missiles in the latest assault, leaving over 24 civilians injured, including three children. The city of Dnipro and its surrounding areas bore the brunt of the attacks.
In recent days, former U.S. President Donald Trump had called for a ceasefire, urging both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the fighting. However, these diplomatic efforts have yet to yield tangible results.
Just last week, a missile strike in Kyiv destroyed a multi-story building, claiming 24 lives.
Ukraine Strikes Back Deep Inside Russia
Ukraine has been steadily strengthening its long-range strike capabilities over the past four years. The nation recently launched its largest-ever drone assault against Russian targets, hitting oil facilities and key infrastructure deep within Russian territory.
The attack reportedly caused four fatalities, including three near Moscow. Russian authorities claim to have intercepted over 1,000 Ukrainian drones in a single day.
Ukraine also announced a significant military milestone: the successful development of its first domestically produced glide bomb, equipped with a 250-kilogram warhead capable of destroying bunkers and command posts far behind front lines. Ukrainian pilots are now training with this weapon under real combat conditions.
Zelenskyy Signals Strategic Shift
President Zelenskyy asserts that Ukraine’s enhanced long-range capabilities are changing the dynamics of the conflict, and global perceptions are beginning to shift accordingly.
Meanwhile, Russia claims to have carried out precision strikes on Ukraine’s arms factories, energy hubs, and ports, stressing that its objectives were fully achieved. These continuous assaults are putting immense pressure on Ukraine’s air defense systems.
Amid escalating hostilities, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing this week. Notably, just prior to the visit, the Ukrainian Navy reported that a Russian drone targeted a Chinese-owned cargo vessel in the Black Sea near Odesa, highlighting the widening scope and international implications of the conflict.
Location : New Delhi
Published : 18 May 2026, 7:43 PM IST