Russia launched more than 740 strikes on Ukraine using hypersonic missiles and drones in a brutal attack.
In total Russian launched 741 strikes on Ukraine which is the largest missiles and drone attack on the country since the war started on 24 February 2022.
Kyiv was rocked by explosions overnight and air defences were shooting down aerial targets and ballistic missiles and drones were also attacking western cities close to the Polish border such Lviv, Lutsk, Khmelnytskyi, and Ternopil.
Lutsk Mayor Ihor Polishchuk said a garage and an “industrial site” was damaged in a fire and he described it as the “most massive Russian attack” since the war started.
He said, “Today was the most mass enemy attack with the use of UAVs and missiles on our city and community.
“Fortunately, at this minute there is no information about the dead as a result of the enemy attack.
“Let’s give thanks to God!
“Our honour, respect and gratitude to the Air Defence Forces.”
Read more related news:
Europe’s largest port prepares for war with Russia
Volyn Oblast Governor Ivan Rudnytskyi said around 50 drones and five missiles was spotted in their airspace overnight and “nearly everything was aimed at Lutsk.”
This immediately sparked Polish and Western fighter jets to be scrambled.
Poland’s armed forces command said in a statement, “In connection with the attack by the Russian Federation’s air forces carrying out strikes on objects located in the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in Polish airspace.
“Duty fighter pairs were scrambled, and ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems reached the highest state of readiness… The measures taken are aimed at ensuring security in areas bordering the threatened areas.”
The Ukrainian Air Force said a total of 728 Shahed type attack drones including decoys, seven Kh-101 or Iskander-K cruise missiles and six Kinzhal missiles, were deployed by Russia to attack Ukraine.
Air defences shot down a total of 296 drones and all seven cruise missiles and the statement said that 415 drones disappeared from radar.
An official said in a statement, “The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defence Forces of Ukraine.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X, “Most of the targets were shot down. Our interceptor drones were used – dozens of (Russian) targets were downed, and we are scaling up this technology.”
Zelensky added this “comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire.”
“This is yet another proof of the need for sanctions… Our partners know how to apply pressure in a way that will force Russia to think about ending the war, not launching new strikes.”
