Russia unleashes massive drone swarm on Ukraine as NATO jets scrambled
NATO jets were scrambled overnight as Russia carried out its largest drone attack yet on Ukraine, launching more than 700 drones, officials said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as a “new massive Russian attack on our cities” involving “728 drones of various types, including over 300 Shaheds, and 13 missiles – Kinzhals and Iskanders.”
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the defense efforts, stating, “Most of the targets were shot down. Our interceptor drones were used — dozens of enemy targets were downed, and we are scaling up this technology. Mobile fire groups were also active – they downed dozens as well. I thank all our warriors for their precision.”
The assault primarily targeted the northwestern city of Lutsk, with Ukraine’s Air Force reporting that “air defenses neutralized 718 enemy air attack vehicles, 303 were shot down by fire, 415 were lost in location.” Damage was also reported in other regions including Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv.
As the attack unfolded, Poland’s military, which borders Ukraine, activated all available forces and resources in response. Polish and allied aviation operated in Polish airspace to ensure security in bordering regions. Despite the reduced threat level, the activated forces returned to standard operational activities.
Zelenskyy emphasized the need for sanctions against Russia, stating, “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.” He called for pressure on those buying Russian oil to sponsor killings and urged all parties desiring peace to take action.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to heightened tensions and military actions, with both sides engaging in warfare. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
This article was written by Greg Norman, a reporter at Fox News Digital.
