Almost 1,000 drones within 24 hours: Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine

Almost 1,000 Drones Within 24 Hours: Russia Launched One of Its Largest Attacks on Ukraine

In a 24-hour span from March 23 to 24, Russia unleashed nearly 1,000 drones on Ukraine, marking one of its most extensive aerial assaults since the full-scale invasion began. The onslaught began with a heavy barrage of missiles and drones overnight, followed by a daylight strike involving over 550 attack drones focused on central and western regions. Regional officials reported at least three fatalities and more than 30 injuries across the country during the daytime wave, adding to the toll from the overnight attack, which claimed four lives and left 21 wounded.

Western Ukraine’s Lviv suffered significant damage as Russian drones targeted civilian areas near the Polish border. At least 17 people were injured in the assault, including those in the city’s historic core. The Bernardine Monastery complex, a nationally significant architectural site, was damaged in the strike. This landmark, located in Lviv’s UNESCO-listed historic center, is a symbol of the region’s cultural heritage.

“Iranian ‘Shahed’ drones, modernised by Russia, are striking a church in Lviv – this is an absolute perversion, and only someone like Putin could find this appealing,” said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening address.

Other regions also faced Moscow’s strikes, with critical infrastructure hit in multiple districts. Ivano-Frankivsk, another regional capital, saw two deaths and four injuries, including a young child, according to local authorities. Damage was reported to maternity hospitals and approximately 10 residential buildings. Explosions were also recorded in Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, and Zhytomyr, with a 12-year-old girl hospitalized after being injured in central Zhytomyr.

Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed drones flying toward Kyiv from the north during the daylight phase. Serhii Flash, a Defence Ministry advisor, noted that Russia is continually adjusting its tactics to identify weaknesses and overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses. Zelenskyy emphasized the broader implications of the attack, stating, “The scale of this assault makes it abundantly clear that Russia has no intention of actually ending the war.” He further highlighted Moscow’s support for the Iranian regime, suggesting that sustained pressure and visible losses are necessary to compel Russia to reconsider its war goals.