Russia Strikes Ukraine in Retaliation for Covert Drone Operation

Russia launched a missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight, killing at least three people in Kyiv, igniting fires across the capital and partially shutting down its metro system days after Ukraine embarrassed the Kremlin with a surprise strike on its bomber fleet.

- Ian Lovett & Jane Lytvynenko

The overnight assault included 407 strike drones and 45 missiles, according to Ukraine's air force. Sites across the country were hit, including the city of Ternopil in the far west of Ukraine. Kyiv bore the brunt of the attack. Some 368 drones and 36 missiles were brought down, according to Ukrainian officials.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a post on social media that the assault had been launched "in response to the terrorist acts" of Ukraine. The ministry also said Ukraine launched 174 drones of its own at sites across Russia overnight. An "industrial enterprise" in Russia's southwestern Saratov region was set on fire as a result of the attack, according to the governor.

Russia's onslaught came just days after Ukraine's daring covert drone operation on Sunday, which damaged and destroyed strategic bombers at sites deep inside Russia.

In a phone call with President Trump earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would have to respond to the attack, Trump said on social media.

Ukrainians had been bracing for a potentially larger attack, with officials sending out warnings this week that residents should be prepared to move to bomb shelters at night.