Russia Launches Retaliatory Airstrikes on Ukraine After Alleged ‘Terrorist’ Raids

Following reported incursions into Russian territory, the Russian military launched a series of strikes on Ukrainian military targets. The Russian Defense Ministry stated the attacks were in response to “terrorist” raids by Kyiv. The overnight strikes, which utilized long-range precision weapons, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and drones, targeted industrial enterprises involved in drone and military equipment production, as well as a military airfield and an oil refinery. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as one of the largest faced by the country, claiming hundreds of aerial targets were involved. Damage was reported across multiple regions, including Kyiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkov, and Chernigov. Moscow maintains that its strikes are focused solely on military-related facilities. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported downing Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, including an incident that resulted in the death of an elderly woman. The strikes also targeted industrial infrastructure, with reports of explosions at oil-processing plants.