Russia launched large-scale drone attacks on Ukraine immediately after the three-day ceasefire between the two countries ended. Ukrainian officials claimed that at least 800 drones were launched toward multiple regions. Moreover, the attacks reportedly killed at least six people and injured dozens, escalating tensions across the region once again.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement on Telegram that Russia carried out hundreds of drone strikes within a single day. According to him, the attacks targeted the capital Kyiv, the western city of Lviv, and several areas near the Black Sea. Consequently, air raid sirens continued sounding across different parts of the country.
Zelenskyy stated that Russia’s main objective was to overload Ukraine’s air defense systems. He also warned that cruise missile and ballistic missile attacks could follow the drone strikes. Furthermore, he emphasized that Ukrainian forces were continuing efforts to defend the country against the ongoing assaults.
Reports indicated that Russia also targeted western Ukrainian regions located near NATO member states. Foreign media stated that the Zakarpattia region, near the border with Slovakia, was among the affected areas. As a result, Slovak authorities announced the indefinite closure of one border crossing for security reasons.
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Meanwhile, Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian drones targeted three industrial facilities inside Russia. However, authorities did not immediately release detailed information regarding the extent of the damage. Consequently, both countries appear to have resumed intense aerial attacks and counterattacks following the collapse of the ceasefire.
The latest escalation came shortly after a three-day ceasefire brokered through U.S. mediation officially ended on Monday night. During the truce, both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of multiple violations along the front lines, although no major air attacks were reported at the time. In conclusion, the massive Russian drone attacks on Ukraine after the ceasefire ended could further intensify the ongoing conflict in the region.