Russia launches a record 728 drones, 13 missiles at Ukraine as Kyiv, Lutsk come under fire

In a chilling escalation of the ongoing war, Russia has launched its biggest drone attack yet on Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported that a record 728 drones—both Iranian-made Shahed drones and decoy ones—were fired at the country overnight, along with 13 missiles. The intense wave of aerial assaults marked another dark chapter in the conflict that has now stretched over three years.

Ukraine’s air force confirmed on Wednesday that this was the largest drone barrage so far. The city of Lutsk, which is near Ukraine’s borders with Poland and Belarus, was hit the hardest. Lutsk has been a vital hub for Ukrainian military operations, with its airfields playing a key role in troop and cargo movements. Although no casualties were reported at the time, damage assessments are still ongoing.

Kyiv was also targeted again just hours later. For the second night in a row, Ukrainian air defence units were battling Russian drones over the capital. Explosions were seen lighting up the night sky as servicemen tried to shoot down incoming drones. Fires broke out in the central Shevchenkyvskyi district after drone debris hit apartment buildings. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed on Telegram that emergency teams were rushed to different parts of the city to control the situation.

Ukraine’s air defences were successful in intercepting 296 drones and seven missiles overnight, with another 415 drones either vanishing from radar or jammed by defence systems. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the increasing effectiveness of Ukrainian-made interceptor drones and said domestic production of these weapons is being ramped up.

While eastern and central parts of Ukraine have often been targets of Russian strikes, attacks in the west—like the one in Lutsk—are rare. Western Ukraine has been a major corridor for military aid coming from NATO countries, especially Poland. Supplies like air defence systems and ammunition usually reach Ukrainian forces through this region. But with Russia now striking these relatively safer areas, concerns are growing about the safety of those key logistical routes.

Adding another layer to the situation, U.S. President Donald Trump commented that he is “not happy” with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unchanged stance on ceasefire demands. Trump recently resumed sending weapons to Ukraine after a short pause in Pentagon deliveries, signalling continued support for Kyiv.

The scale of this recent attack shows how Russia is trying to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defence with sheer numbers. But with growing expertise and locally developed defence tools, Ukraine is holding strong—for now. However, the unpredictability of these strikes keeps the entire nation on edge, with ordinary citizens once again facing sleepless nights and terrifying mornings.

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