- Russia launched 741 aerial targets in a single night — 728 drones and 13 missiles.
- Ukraine’s interceptors and mobile fire teams shot down hundreds of threats.
- Main strikes hit Lutsk; damage also reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and other regions.
- President Zelenskyy calls for tougher sanctions on Russian oil and secondary buyers.
- Ukraine’s Defense Ministry appeals for more air defense systems to counter growing threats.
In what Ukrainian officials have called the *largest aerial assault of the war so far*, Russia unleashed a record 741 aerial targets on Ukraine overnight, including 728 drones and 13 missiles, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack, described as “massive and telling,” drew condemnation from Kyiv and urgent appeals for increased global support.
“Most of the targets were shot down,” Zelenskyy said in a statement posted on X. “Our interceptor drones downed dozens of enemy UAVs, and mobile fire groups were also active and effective. I thank all our warriors for their precision.”
Among the munitions fired were Shahed-type drones, and high-precision missiles including Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles and Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aero-ballistic missiles. Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces are scaling up their interceptor drone capabilities and coordinating efforts across the country to respond to the aftermath.
Widespread Damage Across Ukraine
The central target of the Russian strike was Lutsk, a city in northwestern Ukraine, though widespread damage was reported in at least a dozen other regions. These include Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv.
Emergency crews are now working to restore power and remove debris in the affected areas. Hospitals in Kyiv and Lutsk briefly switched to emergency backup systems after critical infrastructure was struck.
Defense Ministry Confirms Record Drone Launch
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense also confirmed the scale of the assault, stating in an official post on X:
The ministry emphasized the need for urgent international assistance: “Ukraine air defenders work to protect lives, but we need more air defense systems. Strengthening the protection of our skies is crucial to stop the terror.”
Calls for Sanctions and Global Action
President Zelenskyy renewed his call for tough secondary sanctions on countries and companies purchasing Russian oil, arguing that the profits continue to fuel Moscow’s ability to wage war. He also urged allied nations to act decisively in isolating the Russian economy further.
“Sanctions must be biting,” Zelenskyy said. “They must target the money fueling this war, or else Moscow will keep launching new strikes.”
(with inputs from President Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense)
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