In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Russia launched 188 drones in a single attack targeting 17 regions in Ukraine overnight, marking a new record for drone assaults. Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted most of the drones, but the onslaught still caused extensive damage to civilian areas, including residential buildings and key infrastructure like the national power grid.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, describing it as further evidence of Russia’s disregard for peace efforts. “Nearly two hundred Russian drones in one day are nearly two hundred proofs that Russian ambitions are utterly detached from any ideas of real peace,” he remarked during his daily address.
The destruction continues to be felt in the Ternopil region, where cleanup and recovery operations are ongoing. Zelenskyy also reported a deadly strike on a service station in Sumy, in which at least two people were killed. The attack, which involved a multiple rocket launch system, also damaged a residential building and a kindergarten. Zelenskyy called for the destruction of Russian weapons and launch systems on Russian territory as the only real defense against such attacks.
Meanwhile, the US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) has allowed Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian-held territory. Following US authorization earlier this month, Ukraine launched its first ATACMS attack on November 19, targeting Russian air defense systems in the Kursk region. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that five of the missiles were fired at their facilities, with only three intercepted. The attack caused damage to radar systems and injured several Russian servicemen.
On Monday, Ukraine launched another ATACMS strike, with seven out of eight missiles shot down. However, one missile caused minor damage to a Russian facility, and two servicemen were injured in the strike. As the war intensifies, both sides continue to escalate their use of advanced missile systems and drone warfare.