Ukraine says it struck an airbase in Russia amid Moscow's stepped-up drone barrage on Kyiv
Ukraine said Saturday it struck an airbase in Russia, which continued overnight to use hundreds of drones in its stepped-up bombing campaign — signalling a breakthrough isn't expected anytime soon in efforts to end the over three-year-old war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said its forces struck the Borisoglebsk airbase in Russia's Voronezh region, describing it as the home base of Russia's Su-34, Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter jets. On Facebook, the General Staff said it hit a depot containing glide bombs, a training aircraft and "possibly other aircraft."
Russian officials did not immediately comment on the attack.
The attacks on Russian airbases aim to dent the country's military capability and demonstrate Ukraine's capability to hit high-value targets. Last month, Ukraine said its surprise drone attack destroyed more than 40 Russian planes that were stationed at several airfields deep in Russia's territory.
Russia fired 322 drones and decoys into Ukraine overnight, Ukraine's air force said. Of these, 157 were shot down and 135 were lost, likely because they were electronically jammed.
WATCH | Russia launches its largest aerial assault on Ukraine:
Russia strikes Ukraine with largest aerial attack of the war
11 hours ago
Duration 2:18
According to Ukraine's air force, the western Khmelnytskyi region was the main target of Russia's attack. No damage, injuries or deaths had been reported, regional Gov. Serhii Tyurin said Saturday.
Russia has been stepping up its long-range attacks. Waves of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv overnight and into Friday in the largest aerial assault since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began. On Saturday, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the number of people killed in the assault had increased to two. A further 31 people were wounded.
The latest attacks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had a "very important and productive" phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday.
The two discussed how Ukrainian air defences might be strengthened, possible joint weapons production between the U.S. and Ukraine, and broader U.S.-led efforts to end the war with Russia, according to a statement from Zelenskyy.
"We had a very good call, I think," Trump said.
When asked about finding a way to end the fighting, he said: "I don't know. I can't tell you whether or not that's going to happen."
WATCH | What would it take for Vladimir Putin to call off his war on Ukraine?:
What Russia wants in order to end its war in Ukraine
10 hours ago
Duration 10:32
As peace negotiations drag on, Russia continues to pound Ukraine with missiles and drones. CBC's Terence McKenna examines what it would take for Vladimir Putin to call off his war and why U.S. pressure doesn't seem to be working.
The U.S. has paused some shipments of military aid to Ukraine, including crucial air defence missiles. Ukraine's main European backers are considering how they can help pick up the slack. Zelenskyy says plans are afoot to build up Ukraine's domestic arms industry, but scaling up will take time.
Russia's Defence Ministry said it shot down 94 Ukrainian drones overnight and drones on Saturday morning.
No casualties were reported, but local officials in the Saratov region said 25 apartments were damaged by Ukrainian drones in the city of Engels.
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