Russia Executes Major Drone Strike Across Ukraine, Resulting in Civilians' Casualties

A coordinated assault involving 267 drones has left devastation behind, with confirmed civilian deaths and multiple injuries reported across several regions.

In a striking escalation, Russia conducted a significant drone attack on Saturday night, impacting various regions across Ukraine and resulting in civilian casualties. Yuriy Ignat, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force Command, announced that a staggering total of 267 Russian drones were launched in this comprehensive strike; among these, 138 were successfully intercepted by air defense systems. The fate of 119 drones remains uncertain as they seemingly disappeared from radar after being jammed, thereby causing no immediate damage.

Emergency services reported significant destruction and fires across multiple regions, coinciding ominously with the imminent third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While the exact death toll remains undetermined, preliminary reports indicate at least three fatalities. Tragically, two of the deceased were identified in Kherson—a man and a mother of twins, as highlighted by Ukrainian state emergency services. Additionally, regional authorities confirmed one death and several injuries in Kryvyi Rih, where a strike occurred.

The impact was felt in other locations too, with a 53-year-old woman hospitalized due to injuries sustained in Zaporizhzhia. Firefighters in Kyiv were urgently employed to control multiple blazes ignited by drone strikes, with Mayor Vitali Klitschko noting damage to residences and vehicles, but no immediate injuries reported in the capital.

Ukrainian authorities confirmed interceptions in at least 13 regions, including Kharkiv, Poltava, and Sumy, while the Ukrainian air force reported an overnight launch of three ballistic missiles from the Russian side. In response, Russia's defense ministry claimed that it had destroyed 20 Ukrainian drones launched into its territory during the same night.