Ukraine’s military reported on Tuesday that Russia launched a record 188 attack drones against the country overnight, as both sides escalate their aerial assaults.
The Ukrainian Air Force indicated that it successfully shot down 76 of the drones during this “massive attack,” but noted that almost all remaining drones had disappeared from radar. It remains unclear how many drones were intercepted by alternate means, such as electronic interference, versus those that successfully struck targets.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, some critical infrastructure was damaged, and several residential buildings were impacted across multiple regions. In Ternopil, a city in western Ukraine, damage to the power grid resulted in electricity and water outages, local authorities reported.
Since September, Russia has been conducting nightly drone attacks on Ukrainian cities as part of a campaign aimed at testing and degrading Ukraine’s air defenses. These drones have also focused on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, aiming to leave the population without power as winter approaches.
The scale of the overnight drone assault was particularly notable and coincided with a week marked by intensified air attacks from both Ukraine and Russia.
Last Tuesday, Ukraine launched strikes deep into Russia using U.S.-made missiles for the first time, prompting Moscow to vow a response and conduct a test launch of an intermediate-range missile designed for nuclear delivery, though it was not armed with nuclear warheads. These developments signal a shift in strategy from ground assaults to a form of missile brinkmanship reminiscent of the Cold War.
On Tuesday, ambassadors from Ukraine and NATO member states were scheduled to discuss potential responses to Russia’s use of the intermediate-range missile, which was fired at Dnipro in central Ukraine. Although the strike caused minimal damage, it heightened concerns in Ukraine amidst Moscow's increasing nuclear threats.
During the Brussels meeting, Ukrainian officials were anticipated to reiterate their requests for additional air-defense systems from allies to better counter Russian attacks.
Following months of Russian drone and missile strikes, Ukraine’s air defenses have become increasingly strained. Recently, Russian drones have managed to penetrate central Kyiv more frequently, where government buildings and the presidential palace are located. The once-rare sounds of drones and heavy machine gun fire are now a common occurrence in the capital at night.