In an overnight assault, Russia launched a massive aerial attack with over 620 drones and missiles, resulting in four casualties, according to Ukraine’s Saturday report.Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, demanded swift action against Russia and called for sanctions against countries aiding Moscow. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said, “Last night, Russia’s strikes extended from the Kharkiv and Sumy regions to the Lviv region and Bukovyna. 26 cruise missiles and 597 attack drones were launched, more than half of them were ‘shaheds.’ More than 20 missiles and the vast majority of drones were destroyed. I thank our air defense forces for this result.”Recent months have witnessed intensified aerial operations from both sides, whilst US-mediated ceasefire discussions have reached an impasse.The strikes caused two fatalities and injured 20 people in Chernivsty, western Ukraine, away from the eastern and southern frontlines, according to Zelensky. Lviv reported six wounded, whilst the eastern regions saw two deaths in Dnipropetrovsk and three injuries in Kharkiv.Russia’s defence ministry confirmed targeting Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities in Lviv, Kharkiv and Lutsk, including a military airfield. Ukrainian forces conducted retaliatory strikes on Friday, causing three Russian casualties.The overnight barrage follows a Ukrainian drone and shelling offensive on Friday that killed three people in Russia. The escalation comes amid stalled U.S.-led ceasefire talks, as the war nears the three-and-a-half-year mark.“The pace of Russia’s aerial strikes demands swift decisions – and it can be curbed through sanctions right now. Tough secondary sanctions are needed against everyone helping the Russians produce drones and profiteer from oil. More air defense systems are needed, along with investments in interceptor drones, which are already delivering good results. This war can only be stopped through strength. We expect not just signals from our partners, but actions that will save lives,” Zelenskyy added in the post of X.
