Russia Launches Record 273 Drone Assault on Ukraine, Resulting in Casualties
A significant escalation in drone warfare marked by casualties, as diplomatic efforts yield limited results.
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia launched its largest aerial drone attack on Ukraine since the onset of full-scale military operations in February 2022. On Sunday morning, Ukrainian authorities reported that 273 drones were deployed, primarily targeting the central Kyiv region and the eastern Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions, as the conflict continues amid failed peace negotiations.
The drone strikes, launched by 8 a.m. local time, resulted in the death of a 28-year-old woman in the Kyiv region and left at least three others injured, including a four-year-old child, as confirmed by Mykola Kalashnik, the governor of the Kyiv region.
Authorities indicated that air raid warnings were in effect for over nine consecutive hours before being lifted.
Additionally, air defense units successfully intercepted 88 of the attacking drones.
Among the deployed drones were 128 decoy units, which were reported as lost without causing damage.
The air force characterized this as Russia's most extensive drone operation in the conflict, surpassing a previous record of 267 drones launched the day before the war’s second anniversary.
The surge in aerial assaults by Russian forces follows the first direct high-level talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in three years, which took place on Friday in Istanbul.
Although discussions included an agreement on the exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war from each side, no ceasefire was established, despite ongoing calls from Kyiv and its allies for a halt to hostilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to engage both President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in discussions on the matter shortly.
The drone attacks mirror the increasing violence as diplomatic solutions remain elusive.
In a related incident on Saturday, a drone strike attributed to Russia in the northeastern Sumy region resulted in the deaths of nine civilians, when a shuttle bus was hit.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the strike, labeling it a deliberate act, while Russian officials claimed the attack targeted a military facility.
In the Obukhiv district, where injuries occurred, all affected individuals were transported to hospitals for treatment.
Local reports also noted damage to residential structures as drone debris from the air assault landed on buildings in Kyiv, though no injuries were reported in that incident.
The ongoing attacks have raised concerns over civilian safety and potential violations of international law, as Russian authorities continue to deny targeting civilian populations, despite extensive evidence suggesting otherwise.
The drone strikes, launched by 8 a.m. local time, resulted in the death of a 28-year-old woman in the Kyiv region and left at least three others injured, including a four-year-old child, as confirmed by Mykola Kalashnik, the governor of the Kyiv region.
Authorities indicated that air raid warnings were in effect for over nine consecutive hours before being lifted.
Additionally, air defense units successfully intercepted 88 of the attacking drones.
Among the deployed drones were 128 decoy units, which were reported as lost without causing damage.
The air force characterized this as Russia's most extensive drone operation in the conflict, surpassing a previous record of 267 drones launched the day before the war’s second anniversary.
The surge in aerial assaults by Russian forces follows the first direct high-level talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in three years, which took place on Friday in Istanbul.
Although discussions included an agreement on the exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war from each side, no ceasefire was established, despite ongoing calls from Kyiv and its allies for a halt to hostilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to engage both President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in discussions on the matter shortly.
The drone attacks mirror the increasing violence as diplomatic solutions remain elusive.
In a related incident on Saturday, a drone strike attributed to Russia in the northeastern Sumy region resulted in the deaths of nine civilians, when a shuttle bus was hit.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the strike, labeling it a deliberate act, while Russian officials claimed the attack targeted a military facility.
In the Obukhiv district, where injuries occurred, all affected individuals were transported to hospitals for treatment.
Local reports also noted damage to residential structures as drone debris from the air assault landed on buildings in Kyiv, though no injuries were reported in that incident.
The ongoing attacks have raised concerns over civilian safety and potential violations of international law, as Russian authorities continue to deny targeting civilian populations, despite extensive evidence suggesting otherwise.
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