Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Western Ukraine Airbase
According to Ukraine's air force, Russian forces launched 324 attack drones, along with four cruise missiles and three ballistic missiles. The city of Starokostiantyniv, located about 225 kilometers west of Kyiv and home to a military airfield, was reportedly the primary focus of the assault.
This airfield has been mentioned in recent reports as a potential site for housing F-16 fighter jets expected to arrive from Ukraine's Western allies.
Despite the scale of the attack, Ukrainian defenses successfully shot down 309 drones and two of the missiles.
The strikes caused injuries to eight people across the country, including five in Kyiv, local officials confirmed.
Residents in the capital were jolted awake by explosions in the early morning hours, according to reporters on the ground.
As Russian attacks continue to intensify, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again urged international partners to step up their support.
'We are constantly strengthening Ukraine's air shield,' Zelensky wrote on social media. 'It is vital that our partners have a clear understanding of exactly how they can help.'
Ukraine has repeatedly asked for more advanced air defense systems as it faces a growing number of aerial assaults.
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