Russia launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Ukraine on Wednesday, resulting in at least eight fatalities. The assault saw the deployment of 130 drones, 48 cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
Authorities reported that air defence units successfully downed 161 targets during the barrage. The primary focus areas for the Russian attacks included Kyiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv.
In Kyiv, two people died from the strikes, with another two casualties reported in the Poltava region. The attack on Pryluki, specifically, involved a Russian missile striking a five-storey residential building, killing at least four people and injuring twenty others.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's parliamentary commissioner for human rights, stated that "Ukraine has once again been hit by Russian missiles throughout the night." Separately, Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv for an unannounced visit, noting, "We can see the entire pointlessness of this war at this place."
Merz subsequently announced a new aid package for Ukraine valued at over 1.3 billion euros. This financial support includes approximately one billion euros earmarked for weaponry, such as combat drones.
Furthermore, 350 billion euros is designated to assist Ukraine's damaged energy sector. The Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River sustained damage from a blast, and a Russian drone struck Kyiv’s Northern Bridge.
Authorities restricted or suspended traffic across five of the city’s six road bridges over the Dnipro. Russia's foreign ministry issued a warning advising foreign nationals and diplomatic staff against travelling to or remaining in Ukraine.
Merz also confirmed an agreement to jointly produce anti-jet drones.
