At least five civilians died after Russia carried out a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, firing missiles, drones, and guided bombs that hit civilian infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials.

Russia Launches Widespread Attacks

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia fired over 50 ballistic missiles and nearly 500 drones across nine Ukrainian regions. The attacks caused widespread damage and fear across multiple cities.

Lviv and Zaporizhzhia Suffer Heavy Destruction

Lviv, a western city long viewed as a refuge from the war, faced severe devastation. Officials confirmed that four people, including a 15-year-old, died in combined missile and drone strikes. Ukraine’s emergency service reported six others injured.

Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi said two districts lost electricity, and public transport was halted early Sunday. A business complex on the city’s outskirts caught fire. Sadovyi stressed that it was a civilian site with “no military connection.”

In Zaporizhzhia, one person died and nine others, including a 16-year-old girl, suffered injuries. Regional governor Ivan Fedorov said the strikes left more than 73,000 homes without power. Several houses and cars were also destroyed.

More Regions Hit by Russian Strikes

In Sloviansk, Donetsk region, a Russian guided bomb hit an apartment building, injuring six people, including a child. Prosecutors reported that over 20 buildings, shops, and vehicles were damaged in the explosion.

Zelenskyy said the attacks also struck other regions, including Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa, and Kirovohrad.

Zelenskyy Calls for Stronger Air Defence Systems

Reacting to the attacks, President Zelenskyy urged allies to provide faster military aid and stronger air defences. He said, “We need more protection and faster implementation of all defence agreements, especially on air defence, to deprive this aerial terror of any meaning.” He added, “A unilateral ceasefire in the skies is possible — and it is precisely that which could open the way to real diplomacy.”

Poland and NATO Respond Swiftly

Poland scrambled fighter jets to safeguard its airspace as NATO deployed allied aircraft in response. “Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness,” Poland’s operational command said on X.

Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine from 02:10 GMT as the Ukrainian Air Force warned of incoming missiles and drones.

Power Outages Spread After Overnight Bombardment

Ukraine’s energy ministry confirmed that infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, and Sumy sustained severe damage. In Lviv, the mayor asked residents to stay indoors as air defence systems intercepted more drones.

Attack Comes After US Backs Deep Strikes

This large-scale bombardment came just days after a US official said Washington would support Ukraine in launching deep strikes inside Russian territory. Analysts believe this statement may have triggered Moscow’s latest round of aggression.