Hundreds of drones, strikes on Zakarpattia, and intel warning: All about Russia’s massive attack
Photo: the enemy has been massively attacking Ukraine since morning (t.me/dsns_telegram)
Russia has been launching massive waves of drone attacks against Ukraine since the morning, while intelligence warns of a possible large-scale use of cruise and ballistic missiles as well.
RBC-Ukraine has gathered everything known so far about the Russian attack, which may continue until the middle of tomorrow.
Key points:
- Missile threat: Ukraine’s military intelligence warns that after exhausting air defenses with drones, Russia may launch a massive missile strike.
- Strikes on the railway: More than 20 hits on infrastructure facilities and rolling stock were recorded.
- Attack on Zakarpattia: The region suffered its most powerful strike since the start of the war, forcing authorities to close border checkpoints for the first time.
- Scale of the attack: Russia launched a record nearly 900 drones at 19 regions, leaving people killed and injured.
How many drones Russia has already launched
According to the Air Force, from 08:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the enemy launched 753 attack drones and decoy drones. Another 139 drones were launched overnight. Thus, the total number of drones used has already reached 892, but the attack is still ongoing, the Air Force noted.
As of 6:30 p.m., Ukrainian air defenses had shot down or suppressed 710 enemy drones. However, 27 drones still hit various targets across the country. Debris from downed drones or the drones themselves fell at 26 additional locations.
"The peculiarity of this attack is that the enemy once again used the territory of Belarus and Moldova for attack drones flying toward Ukraine," the Air Force said.
Which regions were under attack
As reported by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, impacts were recorded today in Zakarpattia, Lviv, Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions.
Photo: consequences of the enemy attack on Ukraine (t.me/dsns_telegram)
Photo: consequences of the enemy attack on Ukraine (t.me/dsns_telegram)
Photo: consequences of the enemy attack on Ukraine (t.me/dsns_telegram)
Photo: consequences of the enemy attack on Ukraine (t.me/dsns_telegram)
Photo: consequences of the enemy attack on Ukraine (t.me/dsns_telegram)
As of now, dozens of people have been reported injured, including children. Six people have been killed.
In the evening, the activity of MiG-31K aircraft was recorded, along with possible launches of Kinzhal missiles toward the airfield in Starokostiantyniv.
Largest attack on Zakarpattia
Today was the most massive attack on Zakarpattia since the start of the full-scale invasion, said the head of the Zakarpattia Regional Military Administration, Myroslav Biletskyi. According to him, explosions were heard in several communities across the region.
As reported to RBC-Ukraine by State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko, border crossing points in Zakarpattia were temporarily closed (for about an hour) due to the attack, including those on the border with Slovakia. This is the first time such security measures have been taken in the region.
Hungary also reacted to the strikes on Zakarpattia for the first time. The government of the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar condemned the attack and summoned the Russian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry.
Strikes on the railway
The railway infrastructure of Ukrzaliznytsia also came under enemy fire today. According to presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn, there were at least 23 strikes on railway infrastructure facilities over the course of the day.
The attack damaged 3 locomotives, 7 commuter train carriages, 8 freight wagons, 5 traction substations, 5 depots, and 2 bridges.
Attack may continue for a long time
Adviser to the Minister of Defense Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov predicts that the enemy attack could last until midday tomorrow. In his view, Russia is trying to exhaust Ukraine’s air defence systems.
The Defense Intelligence (HUR) warned that after massive waves of drones, the enemy may use a significant number of air- and sea-launched cruise missiles as well as ballistic missiles.
"Moscow’s targets are critical infrastructure and life-support systems of major cities, including energy facilities, defense industry enterprises, and government buildings," the HUR stated.
Meanwhile, monitoring channels report a high probability of a combined attack. In recent days, the activity of Tu-95MS and Tu-160 aircraft has been recorded, along with flights transporting cruise missiles to the Engels airfield.
In addition, monitoring sources warn that the ballistic threat will remain at a high level overnight.
