‘New Massive Russian Attack’: Record 728 Drones, 13 Missiles Hit Ukraine; Zelenskyy Seeks ‘Biting Sanctions’

In what Kyiv described as the most extensive aerial offensive since the start of the war over three years ago, Russia launched a massive barrage of drones and missiles targeting western Ukraine, far from the active front lines. The Ukrainian Air Force reported on Wednesday that 728 Shahed and decoy drones, along with 13 missiles, were deployed during the overnight strike.

Lutsk Hit Hardest in Russia's Overnight Barrage

The city of Lutsk, located near Ukraine’s borders with Poland and Belarus, bore the brunt of the attack, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed.

Ten additional regions were also struck, news agency AP reported.

Lutsk plays a strategic role in Ukraine’s defence network, with its airfields regularly facilitating the movement of cargo planes and fighter jets. The western regions serve as a vital logistical hub, receiving and distributing foreign military aid. Moscow’s recent long-range attacks appear aimed at destabilising these critical supply routes, as per AP's report.

Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 296 drones and seven missiles during the assault, while another 415 drones either vanished from radar or were jammed. Zelenskyy credited the growing effectiveness of Ukrainian interceptor drones—developed specifically to counter Russia’s Shahed drones—and noted that domestic production of anti-aircraft drones is being ramped up with support from Western partners.

He also called for “biting sanctions” on Russian oil: “This is yet another proof of the need for sanctions – biting sanctions against oil, which has been fueling Moscow’s war machine with money for over three years of the war. Secondary sanctions on those who buy this oil and thereby sponsor killings.”

Trump “Not Happy” With Putin Amid Ukraine Ceasefire Deadlock

As tensions escalated, US President Donald Trump remarked on Tuesday that he is “not happy” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who remains unmoved in his ceasefire demands. Trump, who took office in January, has been pushing for a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

Just a day earlier, Trump had stated that the United States might need to resume arms shipments to Ukraine. His remarks came shortly after Washington paused crucial weapons deliveries to Kyiv, raising questions about America’s long-term defence commitment.

Zelenskyy interpreted the timing and scale of Russia’s strike as a deliberate message amid ongoing U.S.-led peace negotiations. “Everyone who wants peace must act,” the Ukrainian President said, calling for tougher sanctions on Russian oil and those continuing to purchase it.

Poland responded swiftly to the assault, scrambling fighter jets and placing its armed forces on high alert, according to a post from the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command on X (formerly Twitter). In Denmark, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Russia could emerge as a significant security threat to the European Union by the decade’s end. She urged a substantial ramp-up of defence manufacturing in both Europe and Ukraine within the next five years, the report stated.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials confirmed that two people were injured in the Kyiv region during the attack, with emergency services still assessing the full scale of the damage.

Ukraine's Escalating Drone Offensive

Ukraine has been escalating its own drone operations, launching deep-strike missions into Russian territory. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that 86 Ukrainian drones were shot down across six Russian regions overnight, including the Moscow region, as per AP.

Flight operations at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo and Kaluga international airports were temporarily halted. In the Russian border region of Kursk, Governor Alexander Khinshtein stated that a Ukrainian drone strike on the capital city killed three people and injured seven others, including a five-year-old child.

According to the report, western defence analysts have warned that Russia is rapidly expanding its drone manufacturing capabilities and may soon be able to deploy up to 1,000 drones in a single night.

As both sides intensify aerial warfare, the conflict appears set for further escalation despite diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire.

world