Russian air strikes cause heavy casualties across Ukraine as Moscow claims advances in Donetsk

Russian air strikes using drones and ballistic missiles targeted multiple regions across Ukraine overnight, causing substantial casualties and widespread destruction. Local authorities reported at least 17 fatalities and dozens of injuries in Kyiv and its surrounding area following heavy bombardments that ignited several fires. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, officials confirmed five deaths and 16 injuries after nearly 60 strikes hit five districts, including a drone strike on a petrol station near Kryvyi Rih that killed three people. Attacks were also recorded in the Odesa, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia regions, with Ukrainian officials indicating around 180 drones were deployed nationwide. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces seized two settlements, Vasyutinske and Toretsk, in the eastern Donetsk region, though Ukrainian military sources reported ongoing heavy fighting along the front line.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă