Russias Unprecedented Air Strike on Ukraine: A Clear Message Amid Peace Efforts

Ukrainian officials reported on Wednesday that the Russian military executed its largest missile and drone assault since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, primarily aimed at the western regions of the country.

Ukraine’s air force indicated that Russia deployed 728 drones and 13 missiles in the overnight attack, noting that their air defense managed to intercept 711 drones and at least seven missiles were taken down.

«This incident is quite significant—it occurs at a moment when considerable efforts have been made to secure peace and establish a ceasefire, yet it is only Russia that continues to reject these initiatives,» Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed on X.

He urged Ukraine’s Western allies to impose stricter sanctions on Russia, particularly focusing on its energy sector, which serves as a crucial source of income for the Russian government.

«Our partners are aware of how to exert pressure that would compel Russia to consider ending the war instead of launching fresh assaults,» Zelensky remarked.

Ihor Polishchuk, the mayor of the western city of Lutsk, reported that fires erupted at a local «enterprise,» but confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries.

Russia’s Defense Ministry later stated that it conducted «long-range» and «precision» strikes on Ukraine during the night of Tuesday, specifically targeting military airfield infrastructure, asserting that «all identified objectives were destroyed.»

This latest aerial attack surpassed Russia’s previous record of 550 drones and missiles set earlier in the month.

Notably, it occurred just after the United States reversed its earlier decision to decrease arms supplies to Ukraine.

«It is quite significant that Russia undertook this assault right as the United States publicly declared its intention to provide us with weaponry,» Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff to the Ukrainian president, commented on social media.