The Ukrainian Air Force has reported that Russia has launched its most massive attack on its territory: 728 drones and 13 missiles. Air defense systems destroyed 718 of the drones and seven missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had requested the United States to resume sending defensive weaponry to protect its citizens, has criticized the harsh attack and called for new sanctions on Russia, which "continues to reject efforts to achieve peace."
On the other hand, a Ukrainian drone attack killed three people and injured seven in a recreational area in the Russian city of Kursk, as reported by the regional governor, who clarified that five of the injured, including a five-year-old child, are in serious condition.
Among the deceased is a Russian military member who had come to the area to participate in rescue efforts and was caught off guard by a second explosion. The governor denounced that the attack was deliberately carried out in an area frequented by families.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its defenses destroyed 86 Ukrainian drones overnight across nine Russian regions, including 23 drones over Kursk.
China Rejects "Interference" in Its Relations with Russia
The Chinese government rejected on Wednesday any "interference" in its relations with Russia, after the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, insisted on Tuesday that China must end its "unwavering support" to Moscow in its war against Ukraine.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated in a press conference today that "normal cooperation between China and Russia does not allow for interference from third parties." Mao affirmed that the ties between Beijing and Moscow "are not directed against any third party," as reported by Efe.
Poland Activates Fighters During Russia's Massive Attack on Ukraine
The Polish Air Force and its allies activated their fighters last night due to Russia's massive attack on Ukrainian territory, especially targeting the northwestern region of Volhynia, near the Polish border, as reported by Efe.
According to the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces on their social media account, "all available forces and resources were activated," pairs of fighters were sent, and ground-based anti-aircraft defense and radar reconnaissance systems were put on high alert.
These measures, common when Russian attacks occur against western Ukraine, aim to ensure security in border areas threatened by the attacks. The operation lasted about two hours and was concluded after the threat level decreased.
Russia Shoots Down 86 Ukrainian Drones, Six Near Moscow
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its anti-aircraft defenses shot down 86 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight, six of them near Moscow, as reported by Efe.
According to the military report, two of the six drones shot down near Moscow were heading directly towards the capital, leading Rosaviatsia, the federal civil aviation agency, to temporarily suspend operations at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport. The same measure was taken at Kaluga airport, a city located about 160 kilometers southwest of Moscow.
The military command stated that the intercepted enemy drones were shot down in nine regions of the European part of the country. The most affected region was Kursk, bordering Ukraine, where anti-aircraft defenses destroyed 23 unmanned aircraft.
Zelensky: "The Attack is Another Proof of the Need for Sanctions"
"A new massive Russian attack on our cities. It was the largest number of aerial targets in a single day: 741 targets: 728 drones of various types, including over 300 shaheds, and 13 missiles: Kinzhals and Iskanders," Zelensky wrote on X.
"This is a revealing attack, occurring precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace and establish a ceasefire, yet only Russia continues to reject them. This is another proof of the need for sanctions: drastic sanctions on oil, which has been fueling Moscow's war machinery for over three years of war. Secondary sanctions on those who buy this oil and thus finance the killings. Our partners know how to exert pressure to compel Russia to think about ending the war, not launching new attacks. Those who desire peace must act."
Three Dead and Seven Injured in a Ukrainian Attack in a Recreational Area in Kursk
A Ukrainian drone attack in a recreational area of the Russian city of Kursk killed three people, including a Russian military member participating in rescue operations, and left seven injured, as reported early Wednesday by the interim governor of the border region with Ukraine, according to Reuters. Alexander Khinshtein stated that the attack was deliberately carried out in an area frequented by families in the region.
Five of the seven injured in Kursk, including a five-year-old child, are in serious condition at the hospital.
Khinshtein mentioned that one of the deceased was a member of the Russian National Guard who was trying to evacuate people from the site. "The sergeant major had started evacuating people when a second explosion occurred. Unfortunately, he did not survive."
Zelensky Calls for Expedited US Arms Shipments
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky explained in his address to the nation last night that once the decision to send more arms to Ukraine was made in the United States, the shipments must materialize as soon as possible to save lives and enable the Ukrainian Army to defend its positions more effectively.
"We now have all the political statements and decisions made, and we must materialize them as quickly as possible to protect our people and defend Ukrainian cities and towns," said Zelensky.
The new aid primarily consists of air defense. "These are critical supplies on which the lives of our people and the defense of Ukrainian cities and towns depend," he declared before announcing that he is preparing meetings with the Americans at both political and military levels.
Nearly 50 Drones in the Volhynia Region
The governor of the Volhynia region, Ivan Rudnitski, reported that the area was attacked by nearly 50 drones and 5 missiles, the most massive attack of the entire war.
According to the official, who explained that the main target was the regional capital, Lutsk, an industrial infrastructure was damaged in the attack. "And most importantly: at this moment, there are no injuries or fatalities," Rudnitski added.
Russia Launches 728 Drones and 13 Missiles
The Ukrainian Air Force has reported that Russia launched a record number of 728 drones and 13 missiles against Ukraine early this morning.
The air defense systems destroyed 718 of the drones and seven missiles, as indicated by the air force on the Telegram messaging app.