Zelenskyy: Russia attacks Ukraine with 420 drones and almost 40 missiles overnight, most of them downed
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported a significant Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine that occurred overnight, with most projectiles intercepted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a large-scale attack by Russian forces involving 420 drones and nearly 40 missiles on the night of February 25-26. He emphasized the persistent threat to Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which is under continuous assault from Russian military operations. The president noted that the majority of the incoming attacks were successfully intercepted, largely due to the timely provision of air defense systems by Ukraine's international partners following the recent Ramstein meeting.
During this latest attack, critical infrastructure and residential buildings were targeted, resulting in significant damage across eight regions of the country. Zelenskyy confirmed that many houses and apartment buildings were affected by the strikes, which highlight the ongoing risks faced by civilians in the conflict. Despite the high interception rate, there were still reports of casualties and destruction, raising concerns about the security of the population and the effectiveness of the nation’s air defense strategy.
The incident signifies the continued escalation of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia, with the latter employing tactics aimed at crippling Ukrainian society by attacking both civilian targets and critical infrastructure. Zelenskyy's remarks reiterate the urgent need for sustained support from international allies, particularly in terms of air defense capabilities, to protect Ukrainian citizens during such aggressive military campaigns.