Russia has carried out one of the largest attacks in the war, launching nearly 1,000 drones across Ukraine in just 24 hours.
What happened?
According to the Ukrainian military, nearly 1,000 drones were fired, with more than 550 launched during the daytime. This made it one of the biggest and most intense attacks in recent months.
People affected
At least 40 people were injured, including five children. In Ivano Frankivsk, at least two people were killed, including a National Guard soldier and his 15 year old daughter. They had been visiting a hospital where a baby had just been born in their family. In Vinnytsia, a 59 year old man was killed and 11 others were injured. In Lviv, at least 22 people were hurt.
“It has been over four years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, “Nearly 1,500 days of death, destruction, and despair.”
Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo at the UN Security Council meeting on 23 March 2026
Buildings and important sites hit
The attacks damaged homes and city areas, as well as a maternity hospital. A historic church in Lviv was also hit. This church is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, meaning it is considered important to world history and culture.
How many drones were stopped?
Ukraine said at least 541 drones were shot down or stopped, while around 15 drones managed to hit their targets.
What leaders are saying
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the scale of the attack shows that Russia is not trying to end the war.
Fighting on both sides
Ukraine also carried out drone attacks inside Russia. In the Kursk region, one person was killed and 13 others were injured.
What this means
This attack shows how the war is continuing to escalate, with both sides using large numbers of drones and causing damage to cities and people.
Photo: Firefighters in the town of Poltava work at the site of an overnight Russian strike. Photo Credits: State Emergency Service Of Ukraine/Reuters
