Mar 25, 2026 - Russia launched nearly 1,000 drones at Ukraine in one of the largest aerial barrages of the war, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces fired approximately 980 strike drones overnight into Wednesday morning, targeting multiple regions across the country. Air defense units intercepted hundreds of the drones, but dozens struck various sites, causing damage to energy infrastructure and civilian areas.
Explosions were reported in Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv and other cities. In Lviv, at least two drones hit civilian zones in a rare daytime element of the assault, according to local authorities. Preliminary reports indicated at least seven people were killed and dozens injured nationwide, including strikes on residential buildings and infrastructure.
The barrage followed a pattern of intensified Russian aerial attacks in recent weeks aimed at Ukraine’s energy grid and logistics. Ukrainian officials said the drones included large numbers of Iranian-designed Shahed-type models, launched in successive waves from Russian territory and occupied areas.
Ukraine’s air defenses downed a significant portion of the incoming drones, with exact interception figures still under compilation. Debris from downed drones caused additional damage in several locations. Power outages affected thousands of residents after strikes on substations and related facilities.
The assault came amid the broader conflict that has continued since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Both sides have increasingly relied on drones for long-range strikes, with Russia conducting hundreds of such attacks in recent months.
Civilian impact included damage to homes, schools and medical facilities in affected areas. Emergency services responded to multiple sites, treating the injured and assessing structural damage. No immediate figures were available for total property losses.
International observers noted the scale of the operation, which exceeded many previous single-night drone attacks. Russia has not issued an official statement on the specific barrage as of Wednesday morning.
As of mid-morning on March 25, Ukrainian officials continued to clear debris and restore services in impacted regions. No further large-scale drone launches were reported in the immediate hours following the initial wave, though air raid alerts remained active in parts of the country.