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

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

Draconic Drone Assault

Over the course of a single day, Russia deployed nearly 1,000 drones in an aggressive assault on Ukrainian territory, marking one of the most significant drone campaigns since the start of the full-scale invasion. The attack spanned both night and day, with a major wave of over 550 drones launched in the early hours of Tuesday, targeting central and western regions.

Impact on Western Ukraine

Among the hardest-hit areas was Lviv, a city in western Ukraine near the Polish border. Drones struck civilian zones, injuring 17 people. Regional Governor Maksym Kozytskyi confirmed that the Bernardine Monastery complex, a nationally important architectural site located in Lviv’s historic center—a UNESCO World Heritage site—suffered damage during the assault.

Expansive Strike Across Regions

Other cities, including Ivano-Frankivsk, also faced targeted attacks. Two fatalities were reported in the city center, alongside four injuries, one of whom was a six-year-old child. Damage was also noted to maternity hospitals and ten residential buildings. Explosions were recorded in Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, and Zhytomyr, with a 12-year-old girl hospitalized after being wounded in central Zhytomyr.

Warfare Strategy and Casualties

The attack, which continued into the daylight hours, left at least three deaths and over 30 injuries across Ukraine. Zelenskyy highlighted the scale of the assault in his evening address, stating it “abundantly clear that Russia has no intention of actually ending this war.”

“Iranian ‘Shahed’ drones, modernised by Russia, are striking a church in Lviv – this is an absolute perversion, and only someone like Putin could find this appealing.”

Ukraine’s Response to Evolving Tactics

Ukraine’s Defence Ministry advisor Serhii Flash noted that Russia is persistently altering its strategies for large-scale strikes, aiming to uncover weaknesses in Ukrainian air defenses. Meanwhile, the country’s Air Force tracked drones heading toward Kyiv from the north, underscoring the ongoing threat.

“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.”