Russia and Ukraine have exchanged a major wave of drone and missile strikes, with both sides reporting casualties and significant damage as attacks intensify across the two countries.
Russian officials described the latest Ukrainian drone offensive as the largest-scale attack of 2026, saying Moscow and surrounding areas came under a massive wave of drone strikes overnight. At the same time, Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least eight people, according to Ukrainian officials.
In Kyiv, a market was set ablaze after being struck during the Russian attacks. One trader told the BBC that goods worth about 500,000 Ukrainian hryvnias (£8,262) were destroyed in the fire.
Several other locations in Ukraine were also hit, while Russian officials said Ukrainian attacks had killed seven people in Russia.
Major logistics centre hit
A warehouse belonging to Wildberries, one of Russia’s largest online retailers, was also targeted in a Ukrainian attack.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said the latest strike means seven of Wildberries’ 10 largest logistics centres have been disabled, following a series of attacks on the company’s facilities in recent weeks.
The attacks come amid a sharp escalation in Russian and Ukrainian strikes, with both sides increasingly targeting infrastructure and facilities far from the front lines.
Ukraine calls for stronger air defences
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the growing scale of Russian missile and drone attacks makes strengthening the country’s air defences an urgent priority.
After speaking with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, Sybiha also warned that Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports and maritime infrastructure could threaten freedom of navigation, international trade and global food security.
He said Ukraine and Greece share an interest in keeping the Black Sea open and secure for maritime navigation.
The latest exchange highlights the continuing intensification of the war, with heavy attacks reported on both sides and increasing pressure on Ukraine to strengthen its ability to defend its cities and critical infrastructure.
