Russia launched an intense missile and drone barrage targeting the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and other cities in the early hours of Friday, resulting in fatalities and widespread damage. Ukrainian officials reported that three first responders were killed in Kyiv while attending to the scene of one of the strikes. These attacks followed a stern warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, reportedly conveyed via U.S. President Donald Trump, indicating that the Kremlin would retaliate after Ukrainian drones successfully destroyed several strategic bomber aircraft in attacks deep within Russian territory.

Kyiv's military administration confirmed the deaths of the three first responders. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko provided details on their demise. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attacks on X, stating, "Overnight, Russia 'responded' to its destroyed aircraft... by attacking civilians in Ukraine.... Multi-storey buildings hit. Energy infrastructure damaged." Conversely, Russia's Defence Ministry asserted that its forces had conducted strikes on military and military-related targets, characterizing them as a response to what it termed Ukrainian "terrorist acts" against Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that 49 people were injured nationwide in the barrage. He emphasized that the attacks were not limited to Kyiv but also struck several other towns and cities. Zelenskiy issued a strong call to Ukraine's Western allies, urging them to intensify pressure on Russia. The Ukrainian air force detailed the scale of the Russian assault, stating that 407 drones were used, marking one of the largest recorded numbers in a single attack, alongside 45 cruise and ballistic missiles.

The attacks significantly disrupted Kyiv's infrastructure. The city's metro transport system faced interruptions after a Russian strike damaged tracks between stations, according to the military administration. The state rail company also announced diversions for some trains due to rail damage outside the city. Reuters witnesses described a series of powerful explosions that were strong enough to rattle windows far from the impact sites. Many Kyiv residents sought safety in metro stations or underground car parks. In the Solomianskyi district of the capital, a Russian drone struck an apartment building, causing a large hole and burn marks, with falling debris crushing parked cars. Police investigators were seen examining what appeared to be the drone's engine at the site.

Beyond Kyiv, Russian forces targeted industrial facilities and infrastructure in other Ukrainian regions. In the western city of Ternopil, Mayor Serhii Nadal reported that the strikes left parts of the city without power. The regional administration in Ternopil stated that the attack injured 10 people and advised residents to temporarily stay indoors due to a high concentration of toxic substances in the air following a fire. In the northwestern city of Lutsk, prosecutors reported that 15 people were injured, and the attacks damaged private homes, educational institutions, and a government building.

In response, the Ukrainian military announced that it had launched a pre-emptive strike overnight targeting the Engels and Dyagilevo airfields in the Russian regions of Saratov and Ryazan. These strikes also reportedly hit at least three fuel reservoirs. This Ukrainian action followed one of the most audacious attacks of the three-year war, where Ukrainian intelligence operatives, using quadrocopter drones reportedly hidden in wooden sheds, destroyed some of Russia's strategic bomber aircraft on the ground last weekend. It was after this incident that Trump, following a phone conversation with Putin on Wednesday, mentioned that the Kremlin was planning an unspecified response.