Russia launched a major overnight assault on Ukraine into Saturday, deploying over 300 drones and more than 30 cruise missiles in what Ukrainian officials described as one of the most intense barrages of the war so far. The wide-scale attack killed at least one civilian and injured several others, while causing significant damage to critical infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, posting on social media platform X, confirmed the scale of the assault, which he called another example of Russia’s increasingly aggressive bombing campaign. In the southern port city of Odesa, more than 20 drones and a missile struck various targets, igniting a blaze in a residential high-rise building. One person was confirmed dead, and five others were rescued from the fire, according to Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov.

Six others, including a child, were injured in the Odesa strikes. Meanwhile, in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, critical infrastructure sustained damage, further exacerbating the country’s energy and logistics challenges amid ongoing Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy thanked international allies for their continued support, emphasizing the urgent need to implement agreements related to defense cooperation, particularly in drone production, weapons manufacturing, and the delivery of advanced air defense systems.

Russia's air offensive has grown in scale and frequency, with recent nights seeing drone numbers that surpass entire monthly totals from 2024. On July 8, Russia launched a record-breaking 700 drones in a single day.

In response, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its forces intercepted 71 Ukrainian drones overnight. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin added that 13 drones were destroyed near the Russian capital, reflecting escalating aerial confrontations on both sides.

As hopes for a negotiated resolution fade, analysts warn that Russia’s relentless drone and missile warfare may mark a dangerous new phase in the three-year-old conflict.

Russia launched a major overnight assault on Ukraine into Saturday, deploying over 300 drones and more than 30 cruise missiles in what Ukrainian officials described as one of the most intense barrages of the war so far. The wide-scale attack killed at least one civilian and injured several others, while causing significant damage to critical infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, posting on social media platform X, confirmed the scale of the assault, which he called another example of Russia’s increasingly aggressive bombing campaign. In the southern port city of Odesa, more than 20 drones and a missile struck various targets, igniting a blaze in a residential high-rise building. One person was confirmed dead, and five others were rescued from the fire, according to Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov.

Six others, including a child, were injured in the Odesa strikes. Meanwhile, in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, critical infrastructure sustained damage, further exacerbating the country’s energy and logistics challenges amid ongoing Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy thanked international allies for their continued support, emphasizing the urgent need to implement agreements related to defense cooperation, particularly in drone production, weapons manufacturing, and the delivery of advanced air defense systems.

Russia's air offensive has grown in scale and frequency, with recent nights seeing drone numbers that surpass entire monthly totals from 2024. On July 8, Russia launched a record-breaking 700 drones in a single day.

In response, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its forces intercepted 71 Ukrainian drones overnight. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin added that 13 drones were destroyed near the Russian capital, reflecting escalating aerial confrontations on both sides.

As hopes for a negotiated resolution fade, analysts warn that Russia’s relentless drone and missile warfare may mark a dangerous new phase in the three-year-old conflict.