Russia on Sunday launched around 500 drones and missiles on Ukraine in what became the largest air raid on the country in the three-year-old war.
Ukrainian Air Force said it shot down 475 Russian drones and decoys fired at the country overnight. Russia also launched 60 missiles. Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for Ukraine’s Air Force described the air raid as the “most massive airstrike” in the ongoing war and said it targeted several Ukrainian regions far from the frontline. A pilot of Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jet lost his life while repelling Russian air strikes on civilian areas, Ukrainian military reported earlier. The incident marked the first case of destruction of a US-made fourth-generation F-16 fighter jets that were supplied to Ukraine by the Netherlands and Denmark starting from 2014.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defence Ministry reported on Sunday that it hit Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities and oil refineries overnight, and that it had intercepted three Ukrainian drones. Russia’s relentless fresh air raid is in contrast to Vladimir Putin’s statement on Friday that Moscow was ready for a new round of peace talks with Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on social media post on Sunday that “Moscow will not stop as long as it has the capability to launch massive strikes.” The Ukrainian leader called for pressure on the Kremlin, saying “This war must be brought to an end pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection.” Zelenskiy also stated that Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defence in order to protect its citizens. He pleaded for more US air defence systems to protect the country’s skies from Russia. Earlier, this week, US President Donald Trump stated that he did not rule out supplying Ukraine with much-needed Patriot defence systems.
