Russia launches massive drone assault across Ukraine in escalating air campaign
Russia has carried out one of its largest aerial offensives since the start of the war, launching nearly 1,000 drones within 24 hours in a coordinated attack targeting multiple regions across Ukraine.
The strikes, which took place between 23 and 24 March, combined overnight missile barrages with a rare daytime wave of more than 500 drones, extending the scale and intensity of previous operations.
Ukrainian authorities reported casualties across several regions. At least seven people were killed and more than 50 injured in the combined attacks, according to preliminary figures from local officials.
Western Ukraine, including areas previously considered relatively secure, was also affected. In the city of Lviv, drones struck residential zones, leaving at least 17 people wounded.
Damage to infrastructure and historic sites
Among the sites hit was the Bernardine Monastery complex in Lviv’s historic centre, a landmark located within a UNESCO-listed area.
Regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi confirmed damage to the structure, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, highlighting the cultural significance of the site.
Other regions also reported significant damage. In Ivano-Frankivsk, strikes on the city centre resulted in fatalities and injuries, including a child. Authorities said residential buildings and medical facilities, including a maternity hospital, were affected.
Explosions were also recorded in several other areas, including Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia and Zhytomyr, indicating the wide geographic spread of the operation.
Shifting tactics and continued pressure
Ukrainian officials say the scale and pattern of the attacks reflect evolving Russian tactics aimed at overwhelming air defence systems.
Military advisers noted that Moscow appears to be testing different approaches in order to identify weak points in Ukraine’s defensive capabilities, particularly through the use of large numbers of drones launched in successive waves.
The capital Kyiv and surrounding regions were also targeted, with air defence systems activated as drones approached from multiple directions.
President Zelenskyy said the intensity of the assault demonstrated that Russia remains committed to continuing the conflict, calling for increased international pressure on Moscow.
The latest strikes underline the ongoing escalation of the war, as both sides adapt their strategies while the conflict shows no signs of de-escalation.
