Russia Launches Large-Scale Drone Assault on Ukrainian Infrastructure

Russia executed a large-scale air assault on Ukraine on Wednesday, targeting critical infrastructure and key urban areas with waves of drones. According to Ukrainian military intelligence agency HUR, the initial drone wave aimed to overwhelm air defense systems, with warnings that further missile strikes, including ballistic weapons, may follow. Ukraine’s air force detected over 100 drones in its airspace, prompting air raid alerts across multiple regions. Officials noted a tactical shift by Russia toward daytime drone operations. The attacks resulted in casualties and damage in several cities, including Khmelnytskyi, Kherson, Odesa, and Kyiv, with civilians injured in strikes on transport and residential zones. Debris from intercepted drones also fell in parts of the capital. This escalation occurs as the war extends beyond four years, with Ukraine stating Moscow aims to weaken its defense capacity by targeting energy systems, while Russia claims the strikes are intended to reduce Ukraine’s military effectiveness. The operation is described as potentially prolonged, raising concerns about sustained strikes across various regions.