Russias Unprecedented Aerial Assault on Ukraine Claims Casualties Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

Russia launched its most extensive aerial strike on Ukraine in over a month late Wednesday night, deploying hundreds of drones and missiles that resulted in one fatality and injuries to more than a dozen individuals, according to Ukrainian officials on Thursday.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized that this attack highlighted Moscow’s indifference towards peace efforts, despite increased diplomatic engagements from the U.S. in recent weeks.

“Last night, Ukraine faced a significant coordinated assault involving drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, including hypersonic weapons,” she posted on social media.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia fired a total of 574 drones and 40 missiles, with Ukrainian air defenses managing to intercept 546 drones and 31 missiles.

In the western city of Lviv, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported one death and two injuries due to the drone and missile strikes, which also caused damage to numerous homes.

Further southwest, the local council in Mukachevo, close to the borders with Hungary and Slovakia, stated that 12 individuals were injured, with six remaining in the hospital.

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga denounced the attacks as «terror against civilians,» asserting that there was “no military rationale or need” for such actions. While Western Ukraine has faced fewer strikes compared to the eastern and southern parts of the country, which have been heavily occupied by Russian forces since the invasion in 2022.

In the meantime, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have destroyed 49 Ukrainian drones across various regions.

These strikes took place amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s intensified efforts to mediate an end to the conflict. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week and hosted discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Washington on Monday.