On Wednesday, Russia launched over 200 drones against Ukraine in a large-scale daytime attack, just hours after a previous wave of strikes on civilian areas killed at least eight people.
The attacks came as Kyiv and Moscow exchanged long-range fire following a brief ceasefire, and despite Donald Trump’s latest claim that the war could soon be over.
Ukrainian monitors detected at least eight waves of Russian drones, some entering from Belarus, apparently targeting Kyiv’s critical infrastructure.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was visiting Romania on Wednesday, wrote on X: “Russia continues its strikes and is doing so brazenly – deliberately targeting our railway infrastructure and civilian sites in our cities.”
In what seemed to be a reference to global attention being focused on the war in Iran, he added: “It is important to support Ukraine and not remain silent about Russia’s war. Every time the war drops out of the headlines, it encourages Russia to become even more brutal.”
Debris from a Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at a gas processing plant in Russia’s southern Astrakhan region on Wednesday, according to the local governor.
Trump’s latest claims of progress in talks between Kyiv and Moscow came with few details and follow similar unsubstantiated statements. “The end of the war in Ukraine I really think is getting very close,” the US president told reporters as he left the White House for a summit in Beijing. “Believe it or not, it’s getting closer.”
His comments follow remarks by Vladimir Putin in a speech last weekend, where he suggested that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine might be nearing an end.
The latest strikes came a day after one of Zelenskyy’s top aides, Andriy Yermak, appeared in a Kyiv court after Ukraine’s two anti-corruption agencies named him as a suspect in a money-laundering scheme.
He had been a close friend of Zelenskyy’s for years and led Ukraine’s talks with the US until an anti-corruption raid on his flat last November led to his resignation. Yermak’s lawyer has dismissed allegations that the former head of the presidential office was involved in a corruption scandal linked to a $10.5 million luxury construction project as baseless.
Before the hearing, Yermak told reporters: “I do not have any house, I only have one flat and one car,” adding that he would comment afterwards.
Russia’s earlier strikes targeted residential and railway infrastructure in the central Dnipro and north-eastern Kharkiv regions, port infrastructure in the southern Odesa region, and energy facilities in the central Poltava region, according to Zelenskyy. He said 14 regions had been attacked on Tuesday.
The balance of power in the war has shifted in recent months. Ukraine has gone from pleading for international help with its defence to offering other countries advice on how to counter attacks, thanks to its domestically developed drone technology.
Ukraine’s long-range drone and missile strikes have disrupted energy and manufacturing facilities deep inside Russia. Three regions reported attacks on Wednesday.
Russia’s defence ministry said it had intercepted and destroyed 286 Ukrainian drones over Russia, the illegally annexed Crimea peninsula, the Azov Sea, and the Black Sea.
On the 780-mile frontline, the advance of Russia’s larger and better-equipped army has been slowing each month since last October, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Moscow’s spring offensive has stalled, and its forces have recorded a net loss of territory.Last month, for the first time since 2024, the Washington-based think tank reported that Ukrainian defensive lines are not only holding, but Ukrainian forces have also managed to challenge the tactical initiative in several areas along the front line. Meanwhile, Russia continues to lose a disproportionate number of troops to achieve only minimal gains, the think tank said on Tuesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Russia launching a daytime attack on Ukraine using over 200 drones written in a natural tone with clear simple answers
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q I heard Russia launched a huge drone attack on Ukraine during the day What happened
A Russia launched a largescale attack using over 200 drones Unlike many previous attacks that happen at night this one happened during daylight hours targeting multiple regions across Ukraine
Q Why is a daytime attack a big deal
A Drones are usually harder to see and target at night A daytime attack means Russia is using more advanced drones or is willing to risk losing more of them It also makes it harder for civilians to hide and disrupts daily life more directly
Q What kind of drones were used
A The attack mostly involved Shahedtype kamikaze drones These are relatively cheap slowmoving but loud drones that fly low and carry an explosive warhead
Q Did Ukraine shoot all of them down
A Ukraines air force said they shot down a significant number but many still got through The exact number destroyed varies by region The goal is to overwhelm air defenses
Q Were there any casualties
A Yes Unfortunately drone attacks often cause civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure like power grids and homes Reports mention injuries and damage in several cities
IntermediateLevel Questions
Q Why would Russia launch a drone attack during the day Isnt that less effective
A Its a tactical shift Daytime attacks can be used to
Strain air defenses Ukrainian defenses have to stay active 247 causing fatigue and depleting expensive antiair missiles
Target specific infrastructure Daytime allows for better visual targeting of power plants or factories
Create psychological pressure The constant buzzing of drones overhead all day creates fear and disrupts normal life more than nighttime attacks
Q What does more than 200 drones mean in terms of scale
A Its one of the largest singleday drone barrages of the war For comparison previous record attacks were around 100150 drones This shows Russia has stockpiled a massive number of drones and is willing to use them in a single wave
