[45750] Unprecedented drone attack: 409 UAVs launched towards Ukraine in the last 24 hours
[45750] Unprecedented drone attack: 409 UAVs launched towards Ukraine in the last 24 hours
Russia has launched a large-scale aerial offensive using hundreds of drones, causing casualties and heavy damage to civilian and energy infrastructure across Ukraine.
During the last 24 hours, starting May 1, Ukraine suffered a massive aerial attack involving 409 UAVs of various types, including 'Shahed', 'Gerbera', and 'Italmas', according to reports from the Command of the Air Force of Ukraine. According to Air Force data, air defense systems managed to intercept or neutralize 388 of the targets, yet hits were still recorded in 16 different locations, alongside damage caused by falling debris in 11 additional locations.
The attack focused on strategic and civilian hubs across the country. In the city of Ternopil, according to reports by 'Truha Ukraine', constant explosions were heard as about 50 drones penetrated the city's airspace, leading to damage to industrial facilities and 10 injuries. Ternopil Mayor Serhiy Nadal noted that parts of the city were left without electricity following the strikes.
In Odesa, heavy damage was reported to high-rise residential buildings. According to the 'Lachen Writes' channel and official reports, at least five people were injured and apartments were completely destroyed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly condemned the attack on energy infrastructure and civilian facilities, and called for increased international pressure and sanctions on Russia: "Russia continues to attack our energy... If Russia does not want to move to diplomacy voluntarily, it must be forced to do so."
In the northern arena, the 'Realnaya Voina' channel reported a targeted attack against gas stations in Kharkiv and Chuhuiv, which caused civilian injuries and damage to several vehicles. Simultaneously, Ukrainian defense forces operated against targets inside Russia; according to a Radio Svoboda report, the Ukrainian army successfully attacked oil refineries in Tuapse and Perm, which caused massive fires at the enemy's strategic oil facilities.
The current attack marks a significant escalation in the use of aerial assets. According to ABC News as quoted by TSN, Russia launched a record of 6,583 drones during the past month of April, a figure pointing to Russia's systematic attempt to exhaust Ukraine's air defense systems. Serhii Sternenko emphasized that "terrorists can only be stopped by force," and called for continued military aid to the Ukrainian army.