Ukraine retaliates with drones on Moscow after lethal Russian strikes
Deadly Russian strikes across Ukraine prompt Ukrainian drone counterattacks against Moscow as parliament prepares to confirm a new defense minister.
Russian forces launched widespread overnight missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, striking regions including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odessa, and Chernihiv. The attacks caused dozens of casualties and damaged civil infrastructure. Near Kyiv, a strike on an ammunition depot situated close to residential areas triggered massive secondary explosions, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to criticize the placement of explosive material near civilian homes. Zelensky pledged that Ukraine would respond to the strikes.
In retaliation, Ukrainian forces launched a wave of long-range drones targeting Moscow, with Russian authorities reporting that several were intercepted over regional territory.
The military escalation coincides with ongoing political changes in Kyiv. Ukrainian lawmakers are set to vote on confirming Yevhenii Khmara as defense minister, replacing Mykhailo Fedorov following his recent dismissal and public calls for wartime elections.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.
Sources
- La Repubblica — Guerra Ucraina - Russia, le news di oggi. Fedorov chiede elezioni: “Democrazia non può essere ostaggio di Mosca”
- Corriere della Sera — Zelensky «accerchiato»: blitz anticorruzione contro un gruppo legato a lui e Fedorov chiede di andare al voto. Nuova ondata di droni ucraini su Mosca
- ANSA — Ucraina, raid russo notturno su Kiev, Zelensky: 'Tredici morti e 40 feriti'
- Il Messaggero — Raid russo su un deposito di munizioni vicino Kiev: almeno 37 morti. «Situazione terribile. Esplosi proiettili, mine e droni». Cosa è successo
Earlier coverage
- Oct 16, 2026, 06:30 PM UTCEU warns Moscow after drone incidents as Russia targets Ukrainian energy
- Oct 16, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCEU warns against Russian hybrid threats as strikes hit Kyiv and energy targets
- Oct 16, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCEU warns Moscow over hybrid threats as Russian drone strikes hit Kyiv
- Oct 16, 2026, 12:30 PM UTCRussian strikes target Kyiv as EU warns Moscow over hybrid threats
- Oct 16, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCEU vows response to alleged Russian sabotage as Kyiv faces fresh drone strikes
- Oct 16, 2026, 11:00 AM UTCGerman police identify Russian-linked suspects over Leipzig drone discovery
- Oct 16, 2026, 06:30 AM UTCRussia targets Kyiv with drones as EU warns against acts of sabotage on its soil
- Oct 16, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCRussia launches new campaign against Ukrainian energy grid as Kyiv comes under drone attack
- Oct 16, 2026, 12:30 AM UTCGerman authorities identify suspects in Leipzig drone incident as EU warns Moscow
- Oct 15, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCEuropean Union warns Russia over covert operations as strikes target Kyiv and Russian energy sites