Russia hits Ukraine with massive drone strike

Kyiv

Russia launched one of its biggest attacks on Ukraine overnight, firing 741 aerial weapons, including 728 drones, seven cruise missiles, and six Kinzhal missiles. This attack mainly targeted Kyiv and other major cities, making it one of the largest since the war started in 2022.

Ukrainian officials said their forces shot down 718 threats, thanks to strong air defences and interceptor drones. Despite these efforts, the city of Lutsk suffered serious damage, with fires breaking out in a garage and a private business. Other areas hit include Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Kropyvnytskyi, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv.

At least two people died and over a dozen were injured. In Kyiv, a large fire covering 8,000 square meters is still burning, causing thick smoke and more damage to homes. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry called for strict sanctions on Russian oil to stop funding for Moscow’s war machine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the attack “growing terror” and urged global partners to help improve Ukraine’s air defences. He also called for quick approval of new US and EU sanctions against Russia.

This massive attack came soon after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Russia has violated human rights in Ukraine since 2014, including responsibility for shooting down flight MH17.

The Ukrainian government stressed that stronger international action is urgently needed to stop Russia’s attacks and protect civilians from further suffering.