Russia launched another massive drone and missile attack against Ukraine on Wednesday that left four people dead and significant damage to the country’s infrastructure.
Ukrainian officials estimated that over 500 drones and 24 missiles were fired by Russia throughout the country, hitting targets in nine of Ukraine’s 24 regions, Reuters reported. Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and major cities Lviv and Volyn were hit. The attack came as Russian President Vladimir Putin was attending a military parade in China honoring the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II.
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Russia launched 502 drones and 24 missiles, according to Reuters. Of these, 72 drones and three missiles hit their targets. Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense systems shot down the remaining drones and missiles. Four railway workers in Ukraine’s Kirovohrad region were reportedly killed in the attack.
The drones and missiles fired at Ukraine caused Poland to deploy fighter jets to ensure the country’s airspace was protected, according to multiple reports. It was at least the second time in recent weeks that the NATO country had to do so due to Russian aggression, which included a Russian drone crashing in its country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s attack on Wednesday. He cited it as the latest example of the need for “strong pressure measures” against Putin.
“Another massive attack – a total of 526 means of destruction, including more than 500 attack drones and 24 missiles,” Zelensky posted on his X account. “The main targets were civilian infrastructure, particularly energy facilities, a transportation hub, even a garage cooperative, and, as has already become routine for the Russians, residential areas. Dozens of residential buildings were damaged across different regions of our country overnight.”
“These are clearly demonstrative Russian strikes,” Zelensky added. “Putin is showing his impunity. And this undoubtedly requires a response from the world. It is only due to the lack of sufficient pressure, primarily on Russia’s war economy, that this aggression continues.”
Ukraine’s president also announced upcoming meetings with several countries to discuss strategies to potentially deter Russia’s attacks, along with “significant reinforcements.”
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“We will be discussing the need for strong pressure measures with our partners in the coming days,” Zelensky said. “In just a few hours – Denmark: the Ukraine – Nordic and Baltic States Summit. We are preparing significant reinforcements for Ukraine. This evening, we will hold a bilateral format in France – coordinating our efforts.”
“We are also preparing a format of the Coalition of the Willing and new steps in relations with the European Union and the United States,” he added.