Putin begins his 'punishment' strike on Ukraine; major aerial assault leaves a trail of ruin in...

Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone assault across Ukraine, striking major cities including Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv. The attacks left at least five people dead and dozens injured, while residential buildings, commercial facilities and critical infrastructure suffered extensive damage. Dnipro witnessed some of the deadliest strikes, with missile and drone attacks damaging homes and leaving rescue crews searching through rubble for survivors. In Kyiv, repeated waves of drones triggered explosions, fires and widespread destruction, including severe damage to residential buildings. Ukrainian officials said emergency services worked through the night as civilians faced another large-scale bombardment. The attacks came days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was preparing a new major assault. Zelensky also raised concerns over shortages of air defense systems needed to counter missile threats. As the strikes unfolded, Poland scrambled military aircraft alongside NATO allies to protect alliance airspace. The escalation also coincided with renewed Russian rhetoric following the attack on Starobelsk. President Vladimir Putin vowed that those responsible would be identified and punished, declaring that accountability was inevitable. The latest barrage has further heightened fears of a prolonged escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war.