*Update*: Massive night attack on Kyiv — drones destroy Russian specialist aircraft

Overnight, Russia attacked Kyiv and Dnipro with missiles and drones. Welt reports at least five dead and numerous injured; in Kyiv a residential building collapsed, with further people feared trapped under rubble. Spiegel reports that the wave of attacks ranks among the heaviest on the Ukrainian capital in weeks – air raid sirens sounded for hours across much of the country.

In Dnipro, according to ANSA, at least four people died, with one further death in Kyiv. Rescue workers picked through rubble whilst local authorities warned of further strikes. By morning, the number of injured had risen to several dozen, and according to NDR residential areas, infrastructure and a hospital were damaged.

Ukraine destroys Russian specialist aircraft

In parallel, Kyiv reported a strategically significant strike in the afternoon: Ukrainian drones destroyed two Russian specialist aircraft far from the front line. Tagesspiegel reports that these are rare aircraft whose loss significantly constrains Russia's capability for reconnaissance and coordination – including with regard to possible NATO confrontation scenarios. Such strikes deep in Russian territory are regarded as a sign of growing Ukrainian range.

In the early evening, the Kremlin warned internally of the war's economic consequences. Handelsblatt reports that Russian officials assess the war against Ukraine as increasingly costly – an unusually candid signal from Moscow that observers interpret as evidence of mounting budgetary pressure.

The day thus demonstrates a dual dynamic: Russia continues its attacks on the civilian population and increases pressure on Kyiv, whilst Ukraine responds with targeted strikes on high-value military targets and increasingly forces Moscow onto the defensive – both militarily and fiscally.