Kyiv:
Russia has hit Ukraine with its largest single drone attack since the start of the full-scale invasion, which was launched on 24 February 2022. Drones were intercepted in at least 13 regions across Ukraine, including Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv and Odesa, according to Ukrainian authorities.
“Record” 267 Russian drones were launched in a single, coordinated attack, said Ukraine’s Air Force Command spokesman Yuriy Ignat.
He said that around 138 were intercepted while 119 disappeared after being jammed without causing any damage, adding that Russia also launched three ballistic missiles. Damage was reported in five regions of Ukraine.
Ukrai9ne’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a video of Ukrainian air defences successfully downing several drones launched by the Kremlin.
On February 23, 2025, Russia unleashed 267 drones against Ukraine, marking its largest drone assault since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Ukrainian air defenses successfully downed 138 of these drones. 119 imitation drones were lost. Russia must be held accountable. pic.twitter.com/jTduUrKqdt
— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) February 23, 2025
Moscow has launched near-nightly massed drone attacks at Ukraine for months, seeking to exhaust air defences.
Ukraine Slams Russia
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Russia launched more than 200 drones in an overnight attack, the largest of the war. He also condemned Russia’s “aerial terror” and called for unity among Ukraine’s allies.
“Every day, our people stand against aerial terror,” he wrote on X.
“On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, Russia launched 267 attack drones against Ukraine – the largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages.”
Zelenskiy said that in total, nearly 1,150 attack drones, more than 1,400 guided aerial bombs and 35 missiles of various types, were launched by Russia at Ukraine in the past week.
The president thanked those operating Ukraine’s air defences, and called on the country’s foreign allies to stand united to secure a “just and lasting peace”.
“This is achievable through the unity of all partners – we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who seeks lasting peace.”
Kyiv and its European allies have been unnerved by new U.S. President Donald Trump verbally attacking Zelenskiy last week, as well as by a meeting between U.S. and Russian delegations in Riyadh to which Ukraine was not invited.
