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ABC News
a day ago
- General
- ABC News
Russia launches biggest number of drones since invasion began, Ukraine air force says
Russia has launched the biggest number of drones on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion three years ago, Ukraine's air force says. The air force said 472 drones were launched over Ukraine. Yuriy Ignat, head of communications for the Ukrainian air force, said Russian forces also launched seven missiles alongside the barrage of drones. Earlier on Sunday, local time, Ukraine's army said at least 12 Ukrainian service members were killed and more than 60 were injured in a Russian missile strike on an army training unit. The training unit is located to the rear of the 1,000-kilometre active front line, where Russian reconnaissance and drones can strike. An investigative commission was created to uncover the circumstances around the attack that led to such a loss in personnel, according to the air force. Ukraine's forces suffer from manpower shortages and take extra precautions to avoid mass gatherings as the skies across the front line are saturated with Russian drones looking for targets. The SBU, Ukraine's domestic security agency, conducted a large drone attack on over 40 Russian military aircraft on the same day, an SBU official told Reuters. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the struck aircraft included Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers, which Russia uses to fire long-range missiles at Ukraine. Reuters could not immediately verify the statement. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes were reported deep in Russian territory on Sunday, including in the Siberian region of Irkutsk, more than 4,500 kilometres east of Moscow. It is the first time that a Ukrainian drone has been seen in the region, local governor Igor Kobzeva said, indicating that it did not present a threat to civilians. Other drone strikes were also reported in Russia's Ryazan region and the Arctic Murmansk region. No casualties were reported. Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for a new round of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy said Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation. Ukrainian officials had previously called on the Kremlin to provide a promised memorandum setting out its position on ending the war before the meeting takes place. Moscow had said it would share its memorandum during the talks. The Russian delegation had also departed for Istanbul for the next round of talks with Ukraine scheduled for June 2, state-run RIA news agency reported on Sunday. AP/Reuters
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
A Ukrainian security official says Kyiv destroyed more than 40 military aircraft in a drone attack
KYIV, Ukraine — A Ukrainian security official told the Associated Press Sunday that Kyiv has destroyed more than 40 Russian planes in a drone attack deep in Russia's territory. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose operational details, said the attack took over a year and a half to execute and was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia launched the biggest number of drones on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion three years ago, Ukraine's air force said Sunday. The air force said 472 drones were launched over Ukraine. Russian forces also launched seven missiles alongside the barrage of drones, said Yuriy Ignat, head of communications for the Ukrainian air force. Earlier Sunday, Ukraine's army said at least 12 Ukrainian service members were killed and more than 60 were injured in a Russian missile strike on an army training unit. The strike occurred at 12:50 p.m. (0950 GMT), the statement said, emphasizing that no formations or mass gatherings of personnel were being held at the time. An investigative commission was created to uncover the circumstances around the attack that led to such a loss in personnel, the statement said. The training unit is located to the rear of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) active front line, where Russian reconnaissance and strike drones are able to strike. Ukraine's forces suffer from manpower shortages and take extra precautions to avoid mass gatherings as the skies across the front line are saturated with Russian drones looking for targets. 'If it is established that the actions or inaction of officials led to the death or injury of servicemen, those responsible will be held strictly accountable,' the Ukrainian Ground Forces' statement said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes were reported deep in Russian territory Sunday, including in the Siberian region of Irkutsk, more than 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) east of Moscow. It is the first time that a Ukrainian drone has been seen in the region, local Gov. Igor Kobzeva said, stressing that it did not present a threat to civilians. Other drone strikes were also reported in Russia's Ryazan region and the Arctic Murmansk region. No casualties were reported. Russia's Ministry of Defense said Sunday that it had taken control of the village of Oleksiivka in Ukraine's northern Sumy region. Ukrainian authorities in Sumy ordered mandatory evacuations in 11 more settlements Saturday as Russian forces make steady gains in the area. Speaking Saturday, Ukraine's top army chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that Russian forces were focusing their main offensive efforts on Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Lyman in the Donetsk region, as well as the Sumy border area.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ukraine says Russia launched biggest number of drones in 3-year war on June 1
Russia launched the biggest number of drones on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion three years ago, Ukraine's air force said on Sunday (June 1, 2025). The Air Force said 472 drones were launched over Ukraine. Russian forces also launched seven missiles alongside the barrage of drones, said Yuriy Ignat, head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Force. Earlier Sunday, Ukraine's Army said at least 12 Ukrainian service members were killed and more than 60 were injured in a Russian missile strike on an army training unit. The strike occurred at 12:50 p.m. (0950 GMT), the statement said, emphasizing that no formations or mass gatherings of personnel were being held at the time. An investigative commission was created to uncover the circumstances around the attack that led to such a loss in personnel, the statement said. The training unit is located to the rear of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) active front line, where Russian reconnaissance and strike drones are able to strike. Ukraine's forces suffer from manpower shortages and take extra precautions to avoid mass gatherings as the skies across the front line are saturated with Russian drones looking for targets. 'If it is established that the actions or inaction of officials led to the death or injury of servicemen, those responsible will be held strictly accountable,' the Ukrainian Ground Forces' statement said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes were reported deep in Russian territory Sunday, including in the Siberian region of Irkutsk, more than 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) east of Moscow. It is the first time that a Ukrainian drone has been seen in the region, local Gov. Igor Kobzeva said, stressing that it did not present a threat to civilians. Other drone strikes were also reported in Russia's Ryazan region and the Arctic Murmansk region. No casualties were reported. Russia's Ministry of Defense said Sunday that it had taken control of the village of Oleksiivka in Ukraine's northern Sumy region. Ukrainian authorities in Sumy ordered mandatory evacuations in 11 more settlements Saturday as Russian forces make steady gains in the area. Speaking Saturday, Ukraine's top army chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that Russian forces were focusing their main offensive efforts on Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Lyman in the Donetsk region, as well as the Sumy border area.
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Ukraine says Russia launched the biggest number of drones in the 3-year war on Sunday
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched the biggest number of drones on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion three years ago, Ukraine's air force said Sunday. The air force said 472 drones were launched over Ukraine. Russian forces also launched seven missiles alongside the barrage of drones, said Yuriy Ignat, head of communications for the Ukrainian air force. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for a new round of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy said Sunday that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation. 'We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state and our people,' Zelenskyy said. Ukrainian officials had previously called on the Kremlin to provide a promised memorandum setting out its position on ending the more than three-year war before the meeting takes place. Moscow had said it would share its memorandum during the talks. Russian strike hit an army unit Earlier Sunday, Ukraine's army said at least 12 Ukrainian service members were killed and more than 60 were injured in a Russian missile strike on an army training unit. The strike occurred at 12:50 p.m. (0950 GMT), the statement said, emphasizing that no formations or mass gatherings of personnel were being held at the time. An investigative commission was created to uncover the circumstances around the attack that led to such a loss in personnel, the statement said. The training unit is located to the rear of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) active front line, where Russian reconnaissance and strike drones are able to strike. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Ukraine's forces suffer from manpower shortages and take extra precautions to avoid mass gatherings as the skies across the front line are saturated with Russian drones looking for targets. 'If it is established that the actions or inaction of officials led to the death or injury of servicemen, those responsible will be held strictly accountable,' the Ukrainian Ground Forces' statement said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes were reported deep in Russian territory Sunday, including in the Siberian region of Irkutsk, more than 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) east of Moscow. It is the first time that a Ukrainian drone has been seen in the region, local Gov. Igor Kobzeva said, stressing that it did not present a threat to civilians. Other drone strikes were also reported in Russia's Ryazan region and the Arctic Murmansk region. No casualties were reported. Northern pressure Russia's Ministry of Defense said Sunday that it had taken control of the village of Oleksiivka in Ukraine's northern Sumy region. Ukrainian authorities in Sumy ordered mandatory evacuations in 11 more settlements Saturday as Russian forces make steady gains in the area. Speaking Saturday, Ukraine's top army chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that Russian forces were focusing their main offensive efforts on Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Lyman in the Donetsk region, as well as the Sumy border area.
Japan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Japan Times
As Russia intensifies attacks, Ukraine air defenses under strain
A wave of massive Russian aerial attacks has stretched Ukraine's air defenses, raising fears about Kyiv's reliance on Western systems to protect its skies in the fourth year of Russia's invasion. As the two sides open peace talks and Kyiv pushes for an immediate ceasefire, Moscow has launched its heaviest air assaults of the war, pummeling Ukraine with more than 900 drones and 90 missiles in a three-day barrage last weekend. Ukraine downed over 80% of the incoming projectiles, but more than a dozen people were killed. Experts worry how long the country can fend off the nightly attacks if Russia maintains — or escalates — its strikes. "Ukraine's air defenses are stretched thin and cannot guarantee protection for all cities against persistent and sophisticated Russian attacks," military analyst Franz-Stefan Gady said. Russia's drone and missile attacks have become more complex — and harder to thwart — throughout the war. Kyiv's air force says around 40% of drones launched recently are decoys — cheaper dummy craft that mimic attack drones and are designed to exhaust and confuse air defenses. Russia increasingly sets drones to fly at a higher altitude — above 2,000 meters — and then dive down onto targets. "At that altitude, they're more visible to our radars but unreachable for small arms, heavy machine guns and mobile fire teams," air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat told RBK Ukraine. In addressing the threat, Ukraine is trying to strike a balance between pressing the West to deliver new systems and not wanting to concern a war-weary public at home. "There's no need to panic," a Ukraine military source said. "We're using all air defense systems that are available in Ukraine now, plus helicopters and aircraft. We are fighting somehow," they said. 'Scale up' Moscow has the capacity to fire 300 to 500 drones a day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this week. "By scaling up the use of Shaheds, they are forcing us to resort to expensive options," military analyst Sergiy Zgurets said, referring to the Iranian-designed drones that are packed with explosives to detonate as they crash into buildings. "This is a war of attrition that must be based on economic grounds — we must shoot down Shaheds with less sophisticated alternatives," he said. A residential building in Kyiv damaged by a drone strike on May 25. | AFP-Jiji Ukraine uses several tools to protect its skies — from advanced Western fighter jets and air defense batteries like the U.S.-made Patriot anti-missile system, to small mobile air defense teams armed with guns. New technology has also become vital, such as the electronic jamming of drones to make them drop from the sky. Increasingly, interceptors are being deployed — smaller, cheaper drones that take on enemy drones mid-air. "We are already using them. The question now is when we will be able to scale up," Zelenskyy said of the interceptors. He too sees the issue as one of economics. "The question is no longer about production capacity... It is a financial issue," he told journalists. 'Real protection' Beyond drones, Russia is also deploying super-fast ballistic missiles, which are much more difficult to intercept. "The biggest vulnerability lies in defending against ballistic missiles," said analyst Gady. A midday strike last month on the northeastern city of Sumy killed at least 35 people, while a hit near a children's playground in Zelenskyy's home city of Kryvyi Rig left 19 dead, including nine children. To fend off ballistic missile attacks, Ukraine relies on a small number of Patriot systems. They are concentrated around Kyiv, leaving other areas more exposed than the relatively better-protected capital. Gady said the current supply of missiles for them is "sufficient" given the level of Russian strikes at the moment. "But it is generally insufficient when compared to Russian ballistic missile production." Ukraine also faces potential shortages given delays in U.S. output, according to Zgurets, creating "gaps" in Ukraine's "fight against enemy hypersonic targets and ballistics." Deliveries of other key Western systems are expected over the next 18 months, but uncertainty is high given President Donald Trump's criticism of aid for Ukraine. U.S. packages approved under predecessor Joe Biden are trickling in, but Trump has not announced any fresh support. "Delivering air defense systems to us means real protection for people — here and now," Zelenskyy said in a recent call for Western backing. On a visit to Berlin on Wednesday, he said: "Defending our cities requires constant support with air defense systems."
