Russia Launches Record Drone Barrage on Ukraine as Kyiv Defenses Hold Firm

In an unprecedented aerial assault, Russia launched a record 479 drones at Ukraine overnight, according to Kyiv’s air force, marking one of the most intense attacks since the full-scale invasion began over three years ago.

The overnight bombardment, which also included 20 missiles, triggered air raid sirens and strikes in at least 10 locations across the country. Ukrainian officials reported structural damage in several regions but said there were no confirmed fatalities or mass casualties.

Despite the scale of the offensive, Ukrainian air defenses demonstrated remarkable resilience, intercepting 460 of the drones and 19 missiles, the air force reported on Monday.

The western city of Rivne bore the brunt of the onslaught, with Mayor Oleksandr Tretyak describing it as “the largest attack on the region since the beginning of the war.”

The escalation comes as the Kremlin continues to reject international calls for a ceasefire, casting further doubt on its commitment to peace negotiations.

Ukrainian officials say the spike in attacks is part of a broader strategy to overwhelm air defense systems and exhaust vital infrastructure ahead of renewed fighting in the summer.

Ukraine also retaliated overnight, reportedly striking an electronics factory in Russia that supplies components for drones. Russian local authorities confirmed the facility was forced to temporarily halt operations due to the damage.

The surge in attacks has reignited concerns among Kyiv’s Western allies about the sustainability of Ukraine’s air defenses, which are increasingly strained by the frequency and intensity of Russian strikes.