Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine

Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces launched more than 500 drones and missiles in a large-scale attack on Wednesday, primarily targeting western Ukraine and causing widespread power outages.

AFP journalists in Kyiv heard explosions across the capital as air defense systems engaged incoming Russian drones. The attack occurred at the same time as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China.

The strike coincided with the arrival of UK Defence Secretary John Healey in Ukraine for talks on security cooperation, Ukrainian officials said.

Vyacheslav Chaus, head of the northern Chernigiv region, said the drone strikes on civilian infrastructure left around 30,000 people without electricity. Ukraine’s air force reported that Moscow fired 502 drones and 24 missiles. Several people were injured, and residential buildings and infrastructure in western regions were damaged.

The air force said, “Three missiles and 69 strike drones hit 14 locations, and debris from downed projectiles fell in 14 areas.” In the Kirovograd region, four railway workers were wounded, and more than a dozen homes were damaged.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the country has carried out almost nightly drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, fueling the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.