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

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

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

Ukraine destroys Russian special aircraft

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

Early evening saw the Kremlin warn 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 budget pressure.

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