Kyiv: Russia carried out its largest drone strike on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. Ukrainian authorities reported that drones were intercepted in at least 13 regions, including Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, and Odesa.
Ukraine’s Air Force Command spokesman, Yuriy Ignat, described the assault as a “record” attack, stating that 267 Russian drones were launched in a single, coordinated strike.
He noted that approximately 138 drones were intercepted, while 119 were jammed and disappeared without causing damage. Additionally, Russia launched three ballistic missiles. Reports of damage emerged from five regions across Ukraine.
For months, Moscow has been conducting near-nightly drone assaults, aiming to wear down Ukraine’s air defense systems.
Ukraine Slams Russia
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Sunday that Russia had launched more than 200 drones in an overnight assault, marking the largest drone attack of the war. He also denounced Russia’s “aerial terror” and urged Ukraine’s allies to remain united.
“Every day, our people stand against aerial terror,” he wrote on X.
Zelenskiy highlighted that on the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, “Russia launched 267 attack drones against Ukraine – the largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages.”
He further revealed that over the past week, Russia had launched nearly 1,150 attack drones, more than 1,400 guided aerial bombs, and 35 missiles of various types at Ukraine.
Expressing gratitude to those defending Ukraine’s airspace, Zelenskiy also urged the country’s international partners to stand united in securing a “just and lasting peace.”
“This is achievable through the unity of all partners – we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who seeks lasting peace.”
Meanwhile, Kyiv and its European allies have grown concerned following recent developments, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s verbal attacks on Zelenskiy last week and a meeting between U.S. and Russian delegations in Riyadh, from which Ukraine was excluded.
