Ukraine Launches Largest Drone Attack Wave of War, Killing at Least Six in Russia

Ukraine is months away from fielding its own ballistic missiles while enduring intensifying Russian strikes and retaliating with long-range drone attacks.

Ukraine launched what may be its largest drone attack wave of the war on Russia, killing at least six people and injuring others including a 14-year-old child in the Belgorod region, according to local officials. A warehouse fire broke out near Moscow, and reports claim Putin relocated to Siberia amid the strikes, with internal criticism of Russia's war effort growing. Moscow had already been struck by one of the most massive drone attacks of the war as Ukraine simultaneously advances development of its own ballistic missiles, which a former Ukrainian defence minister says could be ready within months. Mykhailo Fedorov stated that Ukraine is rapidly innovating its weapons arsenal, a claim that comes as Kyiv demonstrated reach with a long-range strike on a Russian rocket production facility. Ukraine's retaliatory capabilities are expanding even as Russian attacks continue to hit civilian infrastructure. On day 1,636 of the conflict, Kyiv itself came under a heavy Russian missile barrage following Ukrainian strikes targeting Russia's satellite network. The city's mayor reported fires in at least two districts as a result of the attack, illustrating the continued tit-for-tat exchange of long-range strikes that has defined recent weeks of the war. North Korean-supplied ballistic missiles struck Zaporizhzhia in a deadly attack, marking a notable development in Russia's use of weapons from allied states. Zelenskyy has also warned that Putin intends to use Russia's presidential election — from which opposition to the war is excluded — as political cover to announce a major new military mobilisation of troops. On the diplomatic and economic front, Zelenskyy warned Egypt directly that Russian strikes in the Black Sea are threatening Ukrainian grain exports to the country, a key food-security concern for one of the world's largest wheat importers. Russia dismissed proposals for a Black Sea ceasefire, leaving maritime trade routes under continued threat.

Why it matters

Ukraine fielding its own ballistic missiles would mark a significant shift in the conflict, reducing Kyiv's dependence on Western weapons supplies and extending its strike range into Russian territory. The use of North Korean missiles and the prospect of a large Russian mobilisation both signal potential escalation on multiple fronts.

What's next

Watch for whether Russia announces a new military call-up following its presidential election, and whether Ukraine conducts further strikes on Russian weapons production infrastructure.

Key facts

Bias & framing notes

All four sources are Guardian war briefings, meaning there is no independent outlet corroboration — the reporting reflects a single editorial perspective. Coverage focuses heavily on Ukrainian official statements and Zelenskyy's framing; Russian government positions and rationales receive minimal space and are largely limited to dismissals. The claim about ballistic missiles being 'months' away comes from a single named official and is not independently verified within the sources.

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