Kyiv, Ukraine – Russia unleashed a large wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine overnight into Friday, January 9, killing at least three people and injuring 16 in the capital city of Kyiv. The widespread bombardment marks a significant escalation as the full-scale invasion entered its 1,415th day. Ukrainian officials reported strikes in multiple districts, causing damage to residential buildings and disrupting essential services in Kyiv and other regions.
Russia's Renewed Air Offensive
Overnight into Friday, Russian forces launched a major aerial assault, targeting cities including Kyiv and Lviv. In Kyiv, at least three people died and 16 were injured after drones struck various districts, including Desnyanskyi and Dnipro. Some parts of the capital also faced disruptions to running water and electricity. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that an emergency medical worker was among the dead after two drones hit an apartment building in succession.
A ballistic missile also struck infrastructure in the western city of Lviv, according to Mayor Andriy Sadoviy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned on Thursday that Russia might launch another massive attack, aiming to exploit the harsh winter weather for strategic advantage.[aljazeera]
New Missile System and Retaliation Claims
During the recent attacks, Russia reportedly used its "Oreshnik" ballistic missile against Ukraine for the second time, targeting the Lviv region. Russia's defense ministry claimed these strikes were a response to an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on President Vladimir Putin's residence in Novgorod Oblast on December 28-29, 2025. Ukrainian officials, including President Zelenskyy, have refuted the claim of targeting Putin's residence, calling it a fabrication.[en+1]
The "Oreshnik" missile system was first publicly displayed in December 2025 and subsequently deployed for combat duty in Belarus. Military analysts suggest Russia's use of this missile sends a threatening message to Western nations, aiming to instill fear in Kyiv and its allies.[en+2]
Sanctions Tighten as Aid Continues
The ongoing conflict has seen Western nations continue to impose sanctions on Russia. In December 2025, Russia experienced its largest decline in crude oil production in 18 months, largely due to Western sanctions and Ukrainian attacks on its oil infrastructure. Reports indicated that over 185 million barrels of Russian crude oil were stuck at sea as key buyers, including India, sought ways to circumvent US sanctions. Ukraine also expanded its own sanctions, applying restrictive measures to 656 vessels in December 2025.[newsukraine+1]
Meanwhile, international military assistance to Ukraine continued. In December 2025, the United States approved a defense spending bill that included $800 million in military aid for Ukraine, with $400 million allocated annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). Australia also pledged additional military support, including a $2 million contribution to a NATO trust fund and $50 million for American weapons purchases. Overall, Ukraine received a record $45 billion in international military assistance throughout 2025.[akingump+2]
Frontline Dynamics and Drone Warfare Advances
On the battlefield, 2025 saw Russian forces increase their average rate of advance, seizing approximately 4,831 square kilometers in Ukraine. However, Ukrainian reports indicate that Russia failed to capture any significant strategic territory, with frontline positions largely holding firm despite intense fighting. Ukrainian forces reportedly retook most of Kupyansk in December 2025.[understandingwar+1]
Drone technology continues to play a critical role in the conflict. In a notable development in late 2025, Ukrainian military officials claimed a single land drone, equipped with a machine gun, successfully held a frontline position for nearly six weeks in eastern Ukraine. This unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) system reportedly operated autonomously, requiring only periodic maintenance and reloading. Land drones are increasingly vital for logistical operations, delivering up to 90 percent of supplies to Ukrainian frontline positions around Pokrovsk in November 2025.[understandingwar+2]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces suffered significant casualties, with 35,000 "occupiers" eliminated in December 2025 alone. Data from the Ukrainian General Staff indicates that Russian forces sustained 416,570 casualties throughout 2025.[atlanticcouncil+1]
Diplomatic Standoff Continues
Amid the ongoing hostilities, diplomatic efforts remain stalled. In late December 2025, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed a willingness to withdraw troops and establish a demilitarized zone in the Donbas region if Russia agreed to reciprocal actions. This proposal was part of a revised US-backed peace plan, but major questions regarding Russia's response lingered. Russia previously rejected a Christmas Day ceasefire proposal, highlighting the persistent challenges to finding a peaceful resolution.[youtube]
