Russia launches biggest drone attack on Ukraine, targets military airfield, Kyiv says
It was the latest in Russian onslaughts since Ukraine destroyed a number of Russian bombers in drone attacks on air bases deep inside Russia earlier this month.
Ukraine's air defence units downed 460 out of 479 drones and 19 out of 20 missiles launched by the Russian forces, the air force said in a statement.
A military airfield close to Ukraine's western border was the key target, air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said.
Russia fired record 479 drones at Ukraine overnight
'The main strike was targeting… one of the operational air fields. There are some hits,' Ihnat told Ukrainian TV, without elaborating on the damage.
The airfield is in the city of Dubno, about 60 km (40 miles) from Ukraine's border with Poland, Ukrainian regional authorities said. Polish and allied aircraft were activated early on Monday to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, the Polish armed forces said.
Russia's Defence Ministry said the attack was another strike in response to Kyiv's attacks on Russian bases this month, adding that 'all designated facilities' had been hit.
The more than three-year-old war in Ukraine has been escalating as the peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow have so far failed to yield any significant results.
The two sides remain deeply divided on how to end the war. Ukraine is pushing for an unconditional ceasefire as a first step, something Russia has repeatedly rejected.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Zelenskiy says Russia seems more inclined now to a ceasefire
KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Russia seemed 'more inclined' to a ceasefire, but details of a potential deal are of great significance and neither Ukraine nor the U.S. should be deceived by Moscow. President Donald Trump said his special envoy Steve Witkoff's meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Wednesday delivered 'great progress,' but Trump gave no specifics. Following the meeting, Zelenskiy had a call with Trump, joined by European allies. 'Ukraine will definitely defend its independence. We all need a lasting and reliable peace. Russia must end the war that it itself started,' Zelenskiy said on X. Zelensky urges allies to push for 'regime change' in Russia Trump, who has signalled frustration with Putin in recent weeks and has given the Russian president until Friday to make peace with Ukraine or face tougher sanctions, hailed Witkoff's visit as highly productive. But a White House official said the secondary sanctions that Trump has threatened against countries doing business with Russia were still expected to be implemented on Friday. An executive order introducing additional 25% tariffs on India for Russian oil imports was signed on Wednesday. 'The pressure on (Russia) works. But the main thing is that they do not deceive us in the details – neither us nor the U.S.,' Zelenskiy said. Ukraine has repeatedly called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Russia, which now controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory and proceeds with its advances on the eastern front, rejected the idea. National security advisers from Ukraine and allied nations were to meet soon to work out a 'joint stance', Zelenskiy added.
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
India says additional US tariffs ‘extremely unfortunate'
NEW DELHI: India's foreign ministry condemned additional US tariffs imposed over its Russian oil purchases as 'extremely unfortunate' on Wednesday, calling the move 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable'. 'Our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,' it said in a statement. 'It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.'
Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Russian rouble, markets await outcome of Putin-Witkoff meeting
MOSCOW: The Russian rouble and markets held their breath on Wednesday as they awaited the outcome of President Vladimir Putin's meeting with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin. Witkoff and Putin had 'useful and constructive' talks, a Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said, two days before the expiry of a deadline set by President Donald Trump for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face new sanctions. The rouble was flat at around 80 to the dollar, according to data compiled by LSEG based on over-the-counter quotes. It weakened by 0.2% against China's yuan at the Moscow Stock Exchange. Russia's main stock market index was down 0.15%. 'The market is awaiting the outcome of the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff,' T-Bank's analysts said. Many analysts believe that the rouble is overvalued and awaiting a trigger to weaken. The Russian currency rallied by up to 45% against the dollar earlier this year, partly thanks to expectations of a thaw in the relationship between Russia and the U.S. as well as hopes for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. Options on the table for Trump to put more pressure on Russia if Witkoff returns empty-handed include new sanctions against Russia's energy and banking sectors and possible sanctions or trade tariffs on buyers of Russian oil. Kremlin earlier said that Russia had developed an immunity to sanctions thanks to long experience. However, the latest round of U.S. sanctions against a Russian bank, which handled payments for energy, imposed last year, led to the rouble's slide. 'In the coming days, the currency market will be waiting for news from the visit of the U.S. President's special representative and clarification of the situation regarding possible U.S. sanctions,' said PSB Bank's Evgeny Loktykhov.
