Russia Launches Overnight Missile and Drone Strikes on Ukraine

Reuters

Russia Launches Overnight Missile and Drone Strikes on Ukraine.

Russian forces carried out a major overnight assault on Ukraine early on 26 February 2026, launching a combination of ballistic and cruise missiles and attack drones against multiple cities, Ukrainian officials have confirmed. The strikes caused civilian injuries and infrastructure damage as the conflict enters its fifth year.

According to Ukrainian authorities, at least 20 people were injured in the strikes, including a child in Kharkiv. Reports indicate explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and other areas, prompting air‑raid alerts and emergency responses throughout the country.

The bombardment came as Ukrainian and U.S. envoys prepare to convene in Geneva for talks aimed at exploring diplomatic avenues to de‑escalate the war. The timing of the strikes added renewed pressure on international efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.

In Ukraine’s east and south, local authorities reported damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure from intercepted missiles and drone debris. Emergency services were deployed to assist affected civilians and assess structural impacts.

Explosions were also confirmed in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, where air‑raid sirens sounded and residents were urged to take shelter. Officials said that defensive systems successfully intercepted several incoming threats, though some fragments damaged nearby property.

Health authorities in affected regions said injured civilians were being treated in local hospitals, while emergency teams worked to clear debris from streets and public areas. Power and utility disruptions were reported in some neighbourhoods as a result of the strikes.

Local mayors and regional governors condemned the attacks and appealed for continued international support for Ukraine as the conflict persists. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked defence personnel for their efforts and reiterated Kyiv’s resolve.

Sources: Reuters, Sky News


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