Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned Russia’s “aerial terror” on Sunday after Russia launched an unprecedented wave of more than 200 drones in an overnight assault—the largest of the war so far. Zelenskiy called for unity among Ukraine’s allies as he highlighted the ongoing threat faced by his country.
“Every day, our people stand against aerial terror,” Zelenskiy posted on X (formerly Twitter). “On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, Russia launched 267 attack drones against Ukraine—the largest strike since Iranian drones began targeting Ukrainian cities and villages.”
Ukraine’s air force reported that 138 of the drones were intercepted and destroyed, while another 119 disappeared from radar after being jammed by electronic warfare. In addition to the drone strikes, Russia also launched three ballistic missiles. The attacks caused damage in five Ukrainian regions.
For months, Russia has carried out near-nightly mass drone assaults on Ukraine, aiming to wear down the country’s air defenses. Over the past week alone, Zelenskiy said, Russia had launched nearly 1,150 drones, more than 1,400 guided bombs, and 35 missiles of various types at Ukraine.
Zelenskiy expressed gratitude to those responsible for Ukraine’s air defense efforts and urged foreign allies to remain united in the pursuit of a “just and lasting peace.”
“This can be achieved through the unity of all partners—we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, and the strength of everyone who seeks lasting peace,” he said.
Zelenskiy’s remarks came amid growing concerns within Kyiv and among European allies, following recent criticism of Ukraine by U.S. President Donald Trump and a U.S.-Russia meeting in Riyadh, to which Ukraine was not invited.
