The attack comes in response to recent Ukrainian offensives, notably a dramatic drone strike on Russia’s bomber fleet.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes were a direct retaliation for what it termed “terrorist acts” by the Ukrainian government. The ministry highlighted the recent Ukrainian attack on Russian air bases as a key motivator behind the bombardment. The overnight assault saw the deployment of hundreds of drones and dozens of cruise and ballistic missiles, which gravely impacted the capital city of Kyiv. The assault resulted in at least three fatalities and injured 20 individuals.

President Vladimir Putin had reportedly informed President Donald Trump of the impending retaliatory strikes during a recent phone call. Although Trump has been involved in sponsoring a peace process, he appeared somewhat resigned to the ongoing conflict, drawing a controversial comparison to “children squabbling on a playground” in recent remarks from the Oval Office.

Ukrainian officials disclosed that the assault led to significant damage to civilian infrastructure, though specifics were not shared. However, power outages in Kyiv and the western city of Ternopil suggest that energy facilities were likely among the targets. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the strikes aimed at military factories and warehouses.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, revealing that the strikes involved "more than 400 drones and more than 40 missiles," hitting nine different regions. Via Telegram, Zelensky displayed stark images of the damage and casualties, urging global powers like America and Europe to pressure Russia into halting the war.

The attacks came on the heels of Ukraine’s bold operation named "Spiderweb", which targeted Russia's strategic bomber fleet last Sunday. Ukrainian air forces reported that they managed to down a significant number of incoming threats, including 32 of 38 cruise missiles and 368 of 407 drones, as well as six ballistic missiles.

Russia, too, reported being under attack by Ukrainian drones, with incidents at a factory in the Tambov region, the Engels air force base in Saratov, and the airport at Bryansk. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have destroyed 174 Ukrainian drones and Neptune missiles over the Black Sea.

Social media videos showed massive black smoke billowing from Russia's Engels air force base, which has previously been targeted. Kyiv took the brunt of the assault, with ballistic missiles and drones causing severe damage, leading to fatalities and numerous injuries, according to the State Emergency Service.

In western Ukraine, regions like Ternopil and the city of Lutsk experienced their largest attacks since the war's inception. With the extensive damage done to Russia’s bomber fleet on Sunday, Ukrainians expected and braced for the potent retaliation.

President Trump’s comments following his conversation with Putin, where he attempted to dissuade further retaliatory actions, added another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation, highlighting the deep-seated animosity that fuels the ongoing conflict.