At least six people have been killed following a wave of Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine. The overnight attacks targeted critical power infrastructure in major cities, including Kyiv, Odesa, and Lviv. In response, Ukraine launched a significant drone offensive deep into Russian territory.

Early Wednesday (May 13), Russian forces unleashed a barrage of strikes across Ukrainian airspace. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Odesa, Lviv, and Kyiv faced extensive drone strikes. Kyiv officials reported several civilian fatalities and confirmed that energy facilities and railway networks sustained significant damage. Conversely, Moscow maintained that its strikes were directed solely at military positions.

Ukraine retaliated by launching a large-scale drone operation within Russia, with reports surfacing of a strike on a missile production plant in Orenburg. Russian authorities claimed to have shot down nearly 300 Ukrainian drones overnight across various regions, including Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk.

Amidst the escalating hostilities, the governors of the border regions of Belgorod and Bryansk have resigned. President Vladimir Putin has already appointed new acting governors for these areas.

The intensity of the strikes prompted NATO member Poland to take immediate defensive action. Following the onset of the Russian attacks on Wednesday, the Polish military scrambled fighter jets to secure its own airspace.

Ukrainian intelligence agencies have warned that Moscow may be planning to follow these drone strikes with a massive ballistic missile offensive aimed at completely dismantling Ukraine's defense systems.

Despite the surge in violence, the Kremlin reiterated its conditions for ending the conflict. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that for negotiations to commence, Ukraine must withdraw its troops from the Donbas region. Moscow asserts that a ceasefire is only possible if Kyiv agrees to this demand.

Furthermore, Russia expressed interest in engaging in major economic projects with Washington, provided the United States decouples trade relations from the Ukraine issue.

Simultaneously, President Vladimir Putin announced plans to further enhance Russia's nuclear capabilities. Speaking at an event in Moscow, he stated that Russia is developing advanced missile systems capable of penetrating any current or future defense shields.