Russian Missile Barrage Kills at Least Seven Across Ukraine as Zelenskyy Warns of Escalating Attacks

A wave of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine has killed at least seven people, including children, prompting urgent safety warnings from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a defensive response from neighboring Poland. The attacks, which targeted central and western regions, underscore the ongoing intensity of Moscow’s aerial campaign. In Kryvyi Rih, a direct hit from an Iskander-M ballistic missile launched from Russia’s Voronezh region struck a private residence, killing six family members. Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s military administration, confirmed that among the dead were two young girls, aged five and twelve. Eight others were injured, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue. In the capital, Kyiv, one fatality was confirmed following the barrage. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported fires breaking out in several districts and urged residents to remain in shelters, noting that the threat of further strikes persists. Meanwhile, in western Ukraine, the city of Lviv sustained damage to residential buildings from Russian air attacks. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi called on civilians to seek shelter immediately, citing preliminary reports of the assault. Hours before the strikes intensified, President Zelenskyy issued a stark warning to the nation, stating that Russian forces had been preparing a “massive attack” for several days and that a high-probability strike was imminent. He appealed to citizens across all regions to closely monitor air raid alerts. Concurrently, Zelenskyy reiterated his urgent request to international allies for additional air defense ammunition, emphasizing that the protection of Ukrainian civilians hinges directly on the willingness of partner nations to supply critical missiles. As the aerial campaign unfolded, Poland activated its defensive protocols. Polish armed forces scrambled fighter jets and deployed an early warning aircraft to monitor and protect national airspace. Ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance networks were placed on high alert, reflecting heightened regional tension along Ukraine’s borders. In a reciprocal strike, Ukrainian drones targeted a logistics warehouse belonging to major online retailer Wildberries in the Russian city of Penza. Penza Governor Oleg Melnichenko reported that the attack sparked a large fire, resulting in one injury and the evacuation of approximately 200 personnel. The latest wave of strikes comes amid sustained cross-border violence, highlighting the persistent threat to civilian infrastructure and the urgent need for enhanced air defense capabilities. As emergency services continue recovery efforts, officials in Ukraine maintain a high state of alert, urging the public to heed safety directives as the conflict remains in a volatile phase. Reporting with contributions from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3