Russia Launches Largest Drone Strike Against Ukraine, Resulting in Casualties
A significant escalation in aerial assaults, with 273 drones targeting various regions, leading to fatalities and injuries.
In a marked escalation of its military operations, Russia launched a record 273 drones at Ukraine early on Sunday, with the majority aiming at the Kyiv region and notable areas in Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk, according to Ukrainian air force reports.
The attack resulted in the death of a 28-year-old woman in the Kyiv region and left at least three others injured, including a 4-year-old child, as confirmed by local authorities.
Ukrainian Governor Mykola Kalashnik reported the fatality and indicated that all injured individuals were hospitalized, while several residential buildings suffered damage throughout the region.
This strike represents the largest known drone attack by Russia since the full-scale conflict began in February 2022, surpassing a previous record of 267 drones launched on the eve of the war's third anniversary.
During the overnight assault, air raid alerts were issued across Kyiv and its surrounding areas for a duration of nine hours.
Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept and destroy 88 drones during this time, though some 128 simulator drones were also lost during the operation without causing damage.
This escalation follows the first direct peace talks in over three years, which took place on Friday in Istanbul.
However, these discussions failed to yield the temporary ceasefire sought by Ukraine and its allies.
Instead, an agreement was reached to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from both sides.
In related developments, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to engage in discussions with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday.
Earlier in the week, a separate Russian drone strike resulted in the deaths of nine civilians in the Sumy region, where a shuttle bus was struck.
President Zelenskyy condemned that attack as deliberate and called for increased sanctions against Russia, which claimed it was targeting a military site.
The Ukrainian military confirmed the presence of air defense operations during the drone assault, with initial reports indicating that blasts were heard across Kyiv, suggesting active engagement from defensive systems.
Russia, however, has consistently denied targeting civilian infrastructure, despite substantial evidence to the contrary, actions that are characterized as potential war crimes under international humanitarian law.
The attack resulted in the death of a 28-year-old woman in the Kyiv region and left at least three others injured, including a 4-year-old child, as confirmed by local authorities.
Ukrainian Governor Mykola Kalashnik reported the fatality and indicated that all injured individuals were hospitalized, while several residential buildings suffered damage throughout the region.
This strike represents the largest known drone attack by Russia since the full-scale conflict began in February 2022, surpassing a previous record of 267 drones launched on the eve of the war's third anniversary.
During the overnight assault, air raid alerts were issued across Kyiv and its surrounding areas for a duration of nine hours.
Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept and destroy 88 drones during this time, though some 128 simulator drones were also lost during the operation without causing damage.
This escalation follows the first direct peace talks in over three years, which took place on Friday in Istanbul.
However, these discussions failed to yield the temporary ceasefire sought by Ukraine and its allies.
Instead, an agreement was reached to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from both sides.
In related developments, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to engage in discussions with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday.
Earlier in the week, a separate Russian drone strike resulted in the deaths of nine civilians in the Sumy region, where a shuttle bus was struck.
President Zelenskyy condemned that attack as deliberate and called for increased sanctions against Russia, which claimed it was targeting a military site.
The Ukrainian military confirmed the presence of air defense operations during the drone assault, with initial reports indicating that blasts were heard across Kyiv, suggesting active engagement from defensive systems.
Russia, however, has consistently denied targeting civilian infrastructure, despite substantial evidence to the contrary, actions that are characterized as potential war crimes under international humanitarian law.
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