Asger Risom
Ukraine accuses Moscow of intimidation tactics after enduring the largest drone strike since the war began.
The skies above Ukraine lit up overnight as the country faced its most intense drone attack since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with hundreds of drones launched in a calculated show of force.
The assault, which coincided with renewed diplomatic efforts, has raised alarm across Kyiv and its international partners.
Largest Drone Strike Since 2022
According to Digi24, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 273 drones overnight, focusing on the capital region as well as the Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk areas.
The previous record was 267 drones, set on the eve of the invasion’s third anniversary.
While the Ukrainian military worked to intercept the drones, witnesses reported hearing multiple explosions, widely believed to be the sounds of air defense systems in action.
Despite their efforts, one person was killed in the Kyiv region, and the damage assessment is ongoing.
Intimidation Before Negotiation
The strike came just days after direct talks resumed between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. Ukrainian officials see the timing as a deliberate act of psychological warfare.
“The Russians have always used attacks to intimidate those involved in negotiations,” said Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the escalation and renewed his call for harsher sanctions on Moscow. The day before, nine civilians were killed in another drone attack in Sumy, where a civilian bus was hit. Russia claims it was targeting a military facility.
Fragile Diplomatic Window
This latest offensive comes at a fragile diplomatic moment. A prisoner exchange agreement reached during the Istanbul talks offers a glimmer of progress, with both sides agreeing to release 1,000 prisoners each. However, hopes for a ceasefire remain distant.
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare development in the conflict’s recent history. Whether the conversation leads to a breakthrough or marks a new turning point in the war remains to be seen.