KYIV, March 24: A major Russian drone and missile assault on Ukraine has killed at least four civilians and injured 27, signaling a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia launched nearly 400 long-range drones overnight—its largest strike in weeks—alongside 23 cruise missiles and seven ballistic missiles targeting at least 10 locations across the country.
The attacks continued into daylight, with dozens of drones targeting the capital, Kyiv, demonstrating Moscow’s intent to intensify pressure on both civilian and military targets.
The surge comes as analysts and Ukrainian officials warn that Russia may be initiating a spring offensive along the roughly 1,250-kilometer front line across eastern and southern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said Russian troops have carried out coordinated attacks on multiple strategic sectors, with “fierce fighting” reported along the entire line of contact.
Over four days, Russia launched more than 600 attacks, attempting to bring in new units and heavy equipment to break through Ukrainian defenses.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War supports this assessment, noting that Russia’s troop and equipment movements indicate preparation for a broader spring-summer campaign.
Despite these efforts, Russian forces have struggled to seize major cities, achieving only incremental gains in rural areas.
Russia currently occupies about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
Ukraine has increasingly relied on advanced drone technology to compensate for its shortage of infantry. Kyiv is offering its battle-tested drone expertise to the United States and Gulf partners in exchange for critical air defense systems, such as Patriot missiles.
Ukrainian long-range drones have also targeted Russian territories that support Moscow’s military operations, though Russian air defense reported intercepting dozens overnight over Crimea and adjacent regions.
As the war enters its fifth year, the intensifying bombardment underscores the continued human toll, prolonged conflict, and the challenge of finding a diplomatic resolution.
Civilian populations remain at risk, while both sides brace for the next phase of a protracted and evolving conflict. (AP)
