Russia launched a record 188 drones at Ukraine overnight, as reported by Kyiv on Tuesday. This escalation comes amid increasing international tensions following Russia’s firing of a nuclear-capable missile that could reach European cities.
On the same day, the Kremlin refrained from confirming reports that Ukrainian forces had launched US-provided long-range ATACMS at Russia earlier this week. However, Moscow blamed Washington for escalating the conflict.
Both Moscow and Kyiv have been intensifying their drone and missile strikes recently. Ukraine has fired US long-range missiles at Russia, and in turn, the Kremlin has retaliated with an experimental hypersonic missile. This barrage occurred as ambassadors from Ukraine and NATO’s 32 member nations were set to meet in Brussels to discuss Russia’s recent missile attack on the city of Dnipro.
According to the Ukrainian air force, during the overnight attack, a total of 188 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), primarily Iranian-designed Shahed drones, were fired. The air force reported that it had successfully shot down 76 Russian drones across 17 regions, while 95 others were either lost from radar or neutralized by electronic jamming systems. The fate of the remaining drones was not disclosed. Additionally, four Iskander-M ballistic missiles were launched by Moscow.
Unfortunately, critical infrastructure facilities were damaged in several regions, including private and apartment buildings.
### Explosions in Kyiv
In Kyiv, AFP journalists reported hearing explosions, while city officials noted that the air alert lasted five hours, during which 10 Russian drones were shot down. In the Ternopil region, which has been less impacted by the fighting, drones caused damage to a “critical infrastructure facility,” disrupting electricity services in Ternopil city and surrounding areas. Engineers are currently working to stabilize power supplies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that last week’s missile attacks were in response to Ukraine’s use of weapons supplied by the US and UK against Russia. He asserted that Moscow reserves the right to target military facilities in countries aiding Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the missile strike as “the latest bout of Russian madness” and called for updated air-defense systems to address the growing threats. Kyiv expressed hope for “concrete and meaningful outcomes” from the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting scheduled to take place, although NATO diplomats have tempered expectations for significant results.
### Russian Forces Advance
The meeting was intended to discuss the current security situation in Ukraine, featuring briefings from Ukrainian officials via video link. However, the Kremlin dismissed the meeting, suggesting that no substantial decisions were likely to emerge.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian troops are reportedly struggling to halt Russian advances in the eastern region of the country. On Tuesday, Russia announced it had taken control of a village in the Kharkiv region, an area that had remained relatively stable until recently. The Russian defense ministry stated that its forces had “liberated” the settlement of Kopanky, located near the Ukrainian-held city of Kupiansk, which had previously been captured in 2022 before being retaken by Ukraine.
Additionally, Moscow confirmed the detention of a British man, James Scott Rhys Anderson, who was captured while fighting for Ukraine in the Kursk region. A regional court ordered Anderson to be remanded in custody, alleging participation in armed hostilities in the territory.
