On the night of April 24, 2025, Ukrainian media outlets, including Ukrinform, Ukrainska Pravda, and Telegram channels, published footage and reports of powerful strikes by Russian armed forces on Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, Dnipro, Poltava, and the Mykolaiv and Kyiv regions. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the attack began with the launch of Geran kamikaze drones (similar to the Iranian Shahed), followed by the launch of Kalibr cruise missiles from ships, probably in the Black Sea. Then, launches of Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles were recorded from Tu-95MS aircraft, presumably based in the Volgograd or Saratov area. This was followed by two more waves of Kalibr missiles, making the attack one of the most intense in recent months.

According to Telegram channels, the air raid alert in Kyiv began around midnight and lasted for several hours. The first wave consisted of Geranium drones, which the military said were used for reconnaissance and to distract air defenses.

The drones were followed by Kalibrs, presumably from frigates or submarines of the Black Sea Fleet. Then, according to Ukrainian monitoring channels, the Tu-95MS launched Kh-101/Kh-555. These strategic bombers, probably based at the Olenya airfield (Murmansk region) or Engels-2 (Saratov region), are often used for such operations. Two subsequent waves of Kalibrs increased the pressure on Ukrainian air defense.