KYIV, Ukraine — At least eight civilians lost their lives and 35 others were hurt Monday after Russian missiles and drones struck multiple locations across Ukraine, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to denounce what he called “horrific attacks.”
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago and has since carried out sustained bombing campaigns aimed at crippling the country’s infrastructure and breaking the will of its people. The United Nations reports that more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the conflict began.
Zelenskyy announced on social media that a Russian missile aimed at infrastructure hit the central city of Dnipro, leaving five people dead and 29 injured. Separately, Russian drones struck a passenger minibus in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, killing three people and wounding six others, including a child.
National Police also reported that drone attacks in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region claimed the lives of a 69-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man. Authorities said deadly strikes also took place in at least six additional regions of the country.
The wave of attacks also disrupted electricity service for customers across eight Ukrainian regions on Monday. Grid operator Ukrenergo noted that demand had already been elevated due to hot weather, as residents turned to air conditioning to cope with the heat.
Zelenskyy used the occasion to renew his appeal for European nations to accelerate the development of air defense systems capable of intercepting Russia’s ballistic missiles, which have proven difficult to shoot down.
“People need greater protection from such horrific attacks,” Zelenskyy said. “Above all, we need anti-ballistic capabilities. It is essential that Europe is as active as possible in developing its own anti-ballistic defense – its own systems and missiles.”
Western officials say the war has shifted notably in recent months, as Ukraine’s growing drone strike campaign has caused fuel shortages inside Russia and in Russian-occupied territory. Analysts say those strikes have weakened Russian military supply lines along the eastern and southern front lines, slowing Russia’s advance.
Ukraine’s advancements in drone technology have made it a recognized leader in military drone use, and the country is now assisting partner nations — a reversal from its earlier position of seeking foreign military aid.
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Sunday that Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian oil facilities have contributed to fuel shortages within Russia. Those shortages have sparked public frustration, with people waiting in line for hours at gas stations. Despite this, Putin rejected any concessions to end the war and maintained that Russia would ultimately win, dismissing current difficulties as “temporary.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed that position, saying Russia’s stance on Ukraine has not changed and that Russian forces are pressing forward with their offensive operations. “Their effort makes us confident that our goals will be achieved,” Peskov told reporters.
The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, characterized the Kremlin’s posture as an attempt to pressure the West and Ukraine into accepting Russia’s terms. However, the organization added that “Russia’s battlefield performance continues to decline in 2026 and Russia’s ability to seize its objectives militarily is in question.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses intercepted 209 Ukrainian drones between late Sunday and early Monday. Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 82 of the 108 drones Russia launched overnight.
