Russia’s massive drone and missile barrage devastates Kharkiv: what’s next for Ukraine?

Russia unleashed a massive drone and missile assault on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, in the early hours, marking one of the largest such attacks in the conflict.

According to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, "At least three people have been killed and another 21 injured" in the barrage, which involved 48 Iranian-made drones, two missiles, and four guided bombs. The city, home to 1.4 million people and located just 50 kilometers from the Russian border, suffered heavy damage to residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched a total of 215 missiles and drones overnight, with Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepting and neutralizing 87 drones and seven missiles. Despite these efforts, the scale of the attack overwhelmed defenses in some areas.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the night as particularly devastating for Kharkiv, stating that "hundreds of drones and missiles 'rained down' on Ukraine overnight". This attack follows a pattern of intensified Russian strikes after Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian strategic bombers.

The assault on Kharkiv underscores the escalating intensity and technological scale of the conflict, raising urgent questions about Ukraine's ability to defend key urban centers and the potential for further devastating attacks.

Key quotes and stats:
"At least three people have been killed and another 21 injured" - Ihor Terekhov, Kharkiv Mayor
"48 Iranian-made drones, two missiles and four guided bombs" fired before dawn
"215 missiles and drones overnight" launched by Russia
"87 drones and seven missiles" shot down by Ukrainian air defenses
"Hundreds of drones and missiles 'rained down' on Ukraine overnight" - Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's Foreign Minister

Russia launched a massive drone and missile barrage on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, killing at least three and injuring 21. Nearly 50 drones, missiles, and guided bombs struck residential areas, causing heavy damage. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted many of the 215 missiles and drones used in the attack.