Russia Unleashes a Drone Deluge: Ukraine Reports Record 479 Aerial Attacks Overnight
Russia launched an unprecedented aerial assault on Ukraine overnight, deploying a staggering 479 drones in what Kyiv’s air force has dubbed the largest drone barrage since the start of the war. This record-breaking attack, spanning multiple regions, marks another escalation in Moscow’s three-year-old invasion, which continues to defy growing international demands for a ceasefire.
Ukraine’s air force confirmed that air strikes were recorded in ten different locations across the country. While there were reports of damage, initial assessments indicated no immediate fatalities or mass casualties. Oleksandr Tretyak, the mayor of Rivne in western Ukraine, described the assault as the most significant the region has experienced since the full-scale war began, underscoring the mounting strain on Ukraine’s already stretched air defense capabilities.
Kyiv, however, reported a notably high success rate in intercepting the onslaught. According to the air force, 460 of the drones were successfully shot down, along with 19 of the 20 missiles launched during the night.
The assault follows a recent spike in Russian attacks, which Ukrainian officials interpret as a clear indication that Moscow remains disinterested in engaging in meaningful peace talks. Instead, they suggest, the Kremlin is doubling down on its military campaign.
In a coordinated response, Ukraine claimed responsibility for a retaliatory drone strike on an electronics factory in Russia, believed to be a key manufacturer of components for the Iranian-designed Shahed drones frequently used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Russian regional officials confirmed the attack, which led to a temporary halt in operations at the targeted facility.