Russian forces launched a sustained combined assault on Ukraine’s infrastructure on Wednesday, with waves of drones and follow-on missile strikes targeting cities across the country, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR).
Air raid alerts were first triggered shortly after 11 am local time, with explosions and air defence activity reported across central, western and southern regions. Ukrainian officials said the attack unfolded in multiple stages, beginning with massed drone swarms intended to overwhelm air defences.
Military trackers reported that as many as 200 Shahed-type drones were in Ukrainian airspace at one point, with fresh formations entering from multiple directions, including the Black Sea and Belarus.
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A monitoring channel, “Monitor”, said drones crossed into Ukraine via the Chernobyl exclusion zone, moving towards the north-west, while others pushed south-west towards regions including Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi and Ternopil. Additional groups were reported heading towards central areas including Khmelnytskyi.
Local officials confirmed casualties and damage. In Khmelnytskyi Oblast, at least three people were injured and hospitalised in moderate condition, according to Mayor Oleksandr Symchyshyn. In Odesa, Governor Oleh Kiper said two people were injured after a drone strike sparked fires in a residential courtyard, with several vehicles destroyed and debris striking a nine-storey building.
In the capital, Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said drone fragments fell in the Obolon district following air defence interceptions, though no casualties were reported. Explosions were heard across the city as air defences engaged incoming targets.
Ukraine’s air force warned that drones were also approaching Kyiv from the north, shortly before sirens sounded across the capital.
The Ukrainian military intelligence directorate said Russia had launched what it described as a “combined, prolonged air strike on critical infrastructure” nationwide, with the initial drone wave intended to precede cruise and ballistic missile strikes.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more than 100 drones had been detected in Ukrainian airspace during the day’s attacks, warning that further waves were likely. He added that 14 regions had come under fire in the previous 24 hours, with strikes hitting residential areas, rail infrastructure, ports in Odesa Oblast, and energy facilities in Poltava Oblast.
Ukrainian officials said the pattern of attacks reflected an ongoing strategy to degrade critical infrastructure and strain air defences, even as fighting continues along the front lines.
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