Russia launches ‘massive’ attack on Ukraine, as Kyiv hits oil refineries

Russia launched a “massive” overnight attack on Ukraine’s southern and central regions, authorities said, as Kyiv struck Russian oil refineries.

One woman was killed in Zaporizhzhia and 28 people were injured – including three children – according to local officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow launched over 500 drones and 45 missiles, hitting 14 regions across the country.

It comes amid ongoing international efforts to secure an end to the war – and days after Ukraine faced the second biggest aerial attack of the war so far, with a least 23 killed on Thursday.

In Dnipropetrovsk, Governor Serhiy Lysak said overnight the region was “under massive attack” as he warned people to take cover.

It is the second successive night Dnipropetrovsk has been targeted. Earlier this week, Kyiv acknowledged that Russia’s military had entered the region and is trying to establish a foothold.

Railway infrastructure was damaged near Kyiv, but it was central and south-eastern Ukraine that bore the brunt of the latest strikes.

Emergency services were seen putting out fires in Zaporizhzhia, while explosions were heard in the central eastern regions of Dnipro and Pavlohrad.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military said it hit Russia’s Krasnodar and Syzran oil refineries overnight. Both refineries have been targeted before.

The Ukrainian military said there were “numerous explosions and fires were recorded at the facility,” which they said produces a volume of three million tons per year.

Russian authorities in Krasnodar acknowledged the drone strikes from Kyiv hit its oil refinery. It said one of the process units was damaged and a fire occurred in the area. It said there were no casualties.

The Russian defence ministry added it had shot down 20 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 18 over Moscow-annexed Crimea.

The blows between the warring sides follow US-led diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing an end to the war, which so far remain at a standstill.

Zelensky said the latest attack shows Russia’s “disregard for words”, adding that the only way to deal with Russia is to impose sanctions.

“We expect action from the U.S., Europe, and the entire world,” he said.

The US on Friday announced it had approved the potential sale of air-launched cruise missiles to Ukraine which will help the country defend it’s cities from Russian missiles.