Russia launched its largest aerial attack of the war, Ukraine says

In a recent development, Russia has launched its most significant aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the war, with Ukrainian officials reporting a barrage of 537 aerial weapons fired overnight. The attack included 477 drones and decoys, as well as 60 missiles, according to Ukraine’s air force. Of these weapons, 249 were successfully shot down, while 226 were lost, likely due to electronic jamming.

Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for Ukraine’s air force, described the attack as the most massive airstrike against Ukraine since the invasion began in February 2022, taking into account both drones and various types of missiles. The assault targeted several regions, including western Ukraine, which is located far from the front line.

In response to the attack, Poland and its allied countries scrambled aircraft to safeguard Polish airspace, as confirmed by Poland’s air force. Tragically, the strikes resulted in casualties, with one person killed in the Kherson region and another fatality in the Kharkiv region due to drone attacks. Additionally, six individuals, including a child, were injured in Cherkasy, according to regional Governor Ihor Taburets.

In the far-western Lviv region, a significant fire broke out at an industrial facility in Drohobych following a drone attack, which also caused power outages in parts of the city. Furthermore, Ukraine’s air force reported that one of its F-16 warplanes, provided by Western allies, crashed after sustaining damage while engaging air targets, resulting in the pilot’s death.

The latest wave of attacks comes on the heels of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Moscow is willing to engage in further direct peace talks in Istanbul to seek an end to the conflict. However, despite international peace efforts led by the U.S., no significant progress has been made towards a resolution. Recent talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul have been unproductive, indicating that a resolution to the conflict remains elusive.

As the situation continues to escalate, it is essential to monitor developments closely and support efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine during this challenging time.

(Note: This article contains information from The Associated Press.)