Russia launches 479 drones, highest overnight number since war began, says Ukraine
Moscow’s aerial attacks usually start late in the evening and end in the morning, as drones are harder to spot in the dark
Russia launched 479 drones at Ukraine in the biggest overnight drone bombardment of the three-year war, the Ukrainian air force said on Monday, as the Kremlin presses its summer offensive against the backdrop of direct peace talks.
As well as drones, 20 missiles of various types were fired at different parts of Ukraine, according to the air force, which said the barrage targeted mainly central and western areas of Ukraine. Three people were killed in Kyiv and over a dozen were wounded.
First responders were among the casualties.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, posted casualty figures on Telegram. Kyiv Metro – whose deep tunnels are used as shelters – said that its infrastructure had been damaged and one of the key lines was partially closed.
Ukraine’s air force said its air defences destroyed 277 drones and 19 missiles in mid-flight on Sunday night, claiming that only 10 hit their target.