Russia Strikes Ukraine With Largest Drone Attack of War

Russia has launched its single largest drone strike against Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukrainian authorities say.

Newsweek contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment via email on Sunday.

Why It Matters

The attack, which targeted multiple regions, comes just before the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and at a time when Russia and the U.S. have begun to negotiate an end to the war.

President Donald Trump has been critical recently of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

People look at Russian drones installed as a symbol of war in central Kyiv on June 16, 2023.

SOPA Images Limited/Alamy Live News via AP

What To Know

Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat said on Sunday that 267 drones had entered Ukrainian airspace, noting that this represented the “a record number for one attack” since 2022.

Ukraine’s air force reported that it successfully shot down 138 of the incoming Shahed attack drones, while another 119 disappeared from radar. It also said three flew in the direction of neighboring Belarus, and one into Russia.

Despite Ukrainian defenses intercepting many of the drones, the massive bombardment caused damage across several regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Poltava, Kyiv, and Zaporizhzhia, the air force said.

Three people were reportedly injured in Odesa, and one was also reportedly hurt in Zaporizhzhia.

Zelensky condemned the latest attack, referring to it as “aerial terror” in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, in which he also praised the efforts of Ukraine’s military and emergency responders.

“I thank everyone who repels such attacks on a daily basis—our aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare [EW] units and mobile fire groups of the air force and defense forces,” Zelensky said.

“I also thank those on the ground who save lives and respond to the aftermath of shelling—the State Emergency Service, medics, and the National Police.”

Drone warfare has been a consistent fixture in the conflict. Zelensky said nearly 1,150 attack drones, over 1,400 aerial bombs, and 35 missiles of various kinds had been launched in the past week alone.

Russia also launched missile attacks against Ukraine, resulting in fires that injured a 53-year-old woman in Zaporizhzhia, as well as killing one and injuring five in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, The Kyiv Independent reported.

What People Are Saying

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement: “The war continues. Everyone capable of helping with air defense must work to enhance the protection of human life. We must do everything possible to bring a lasting and just peace to Ukraine. This is achievable through the unity of all partners—we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who seeks lasting peace.”

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense said on X: “Overnight, occupiers launched 267 Shahed drones at Ukraine—it’s a record number of UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] since the start of the full-scale invasion.

“Ukrainian air defenders shot down 138 UAVs. Countermeasures by EW resulted in the loss of 119 drones.

“Ukraine needs more air-defense systems!”