Almost 1,000 drones within 24 hours: Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine

Almost 1,000 Drones Within 24 Hours: Russia Launched One of Its Largest Attacks on Ukraine

In a span of 24 hours, Russia unleashed nearly 1,000 drones on Ukraine, marking one of its most significant aerial offensives since the full-scale invasion commenced. The strikes included both nighttime missile barrages and a daytime assault involving over 550 attack drones, targeting central and western regions of the country.

Regional authorities confirmed that at least three individuals lost their lives and more than 30 were injured during the daylight attack. Earlier, an overnight barrage had resulted in four fatalities and 21 injuries. Lviv, situated in western Ukraine near the Polish border, bore the brunt of drone strikes that wounded 17 people in civilian areas.

Historic Site Damaged in Lviv

The Bernardine Monastery complex, a national architectural treasure located in Lviv’s historic centre—a UNESCO World Heritage site—was partially damaged in the assault. In his evening address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked,

“Iranian ‘Shahed’ drones, modified by Russia, are attacking a church in Lviv—this is a complete perversion, and only someone like Putin would approve of it.”

Other western Ukrainian cities, including Ivano-Frankivsk, faced targeted strikes. Two people were killed in the city centre, with four others injured, including a six-year-old child. Damage to maternity hospitals and residential buildings was also reported.

Widespread Impact Across Ukraine

Explosions were recorded in Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, and Zhytomyr, with a 12-year-old girl sustaining injuries in central Zhytomyr and being hospitalized. Meanwhile, Kyiv and surrounding areas were under attack, as Ukraine’s Air Force tracked drones flying toward the capital from the north.

According to Serhii Flash, Ukraine’s Defence Ministry advisor, Russia is continually adapting its tactics for large-scale strikes, “seeking to exploit weaknesses” and bypass Ukraine’s air defenses. Zelenskyy emphasized that the scale of the attack “abundantly clear that Russia has no intention of actually ending this war,” adding,

“When you consider that Russia is also aiding the Iranian regime in striking across the entire region, the conclusion is quite obvious: without additional and strong pressure on Russia, without tangible Russian losses, those in Moscow will have no desire to step back from the war or to get used to peace again.”