Massive Russian drone attack slams Kyiv and hits maternity hospital in Odesa, Ukrainian officials say

Russia launched 315 drones across Ukraine overnight into Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it “one of the largest” strikes on Kyiv. Air raid sirens rang out across the capital shortly after midnight, prompting residents to seek shelter.

In Kyiv, people hid in basements, bathrooms, and corridors—their usual safe spots. For hours, the sound of drones buzzed overhead. Explosions followed. CNN reporters in the city described non-stop action from air defense systems. In a span of three hours, dozens of drones swarmed the city center.

“This was a tough night for all of us,” said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv city military administration. Seven districts were affected. Fires broke out in homes, warehouses, and cars. Falling debris damaged high-rise buildings. One person died, and four others were injured, according to Kyiv’s Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko.

President Zelensky said the scale of the attack sends a grim message. “Russian missile and Shahed strikes drown out the efforts of the United States and others around the world to force Russia into peace,” he wrote on X.

In Odesa, residents reported another devastating night. Russian strikes hit multiple parts of the southern port city, including a maternity ward. Two men died, and nine people suffered injuries, local prosecutors reported via Telegram.

Andriy Yermak, the president’s chief of staff, confirmed the maternity hospital strike. Video from Reuters showed a woman in scrubs sweeping broken glass from the ward.

Residents described the horror. “It was a terrible night,” said 78-year-old Violetta, who chose to share only her first name. “My garage with my car is destroyed… We’ve had a terrible time. Thank God I’m not hurt.”

She added, “The siren came just in time. I ran to the hallway, and then the roof collapsed. My neighbor, a boy, was wounded by glass. He had to get stitches.”

Another Odesa local, 60-year-old Lyudmila, recounted the fear: “Drones were flying around all the time, banging and banging. This is the first time we’ve been hit in four years. It’s very hard mentally.”

Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed the use of other weapons as well. Russia launched two KN-23 ballistic missiles and five Iskander-K cruise missiles in the same overnight attack.

The scale of drone usage appears to be increasing. Just one day before, Russia fired 479 drones at Ukraine in what became the largest single-day drone strike since the war began. It marked the second weekend in a row that Moscow broke its own record.

Experts say the intensifying use of drones represents a shift in Russian strategy. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Moscow likely sees mass drone strikes as a cost-effective way to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses.

“The sheer volume of drones makes it difficult for Ukraine to respond to every threat,” said Max Bergmann, a CSIS analyst. “The aim is to wear down the Ukrainian defense system over time.”

Civilians remain the most affected. Hospitals, apartment blocks, and ordinary homes continue to bear the brunt. The strikes on maternity wards and residential districts have drawn criticism from human rights groups. Amnesty International labeled the attacks “barbaric” and called for stronger international condemnation.

NATO has reiterated its support for Ukraine. In a recent statement, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, “Russia’s deliberate targeting of civilians and hospitals is a war crime. We stand with Ukraine and will continue to provide the aid they need to defend themselves.”

As Ukraine braces for more assaults, the psychological toll mounts. “This kind of constant fear is exhausting,” Lyudmila said. “You never know when the next one will come.”

The war, now in its third year, shows no signs of stopping. For many Ukrainians, each new night brings the same question: Will I wake up tomorrow?