Unprecedented Drone Assault: Russia Launches 948 Drones Against Ukraine in 24 Hours

Wed Mar 25 2026 06:20:41 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A record number of drone attacks occur in Ukraine as Russia escalates its military actions, leading to casualties and significant damage to historic sites.

Over a 24-hour period, Russia executed its largest drone assault on Ukraine, involving 948 drones targeting various cities. The unprecedented daytime attack resulted in at least three deaths and numerous injuries, with significant damage inflicted on locations including a UNESCO World Heritage site in Lviv. Ukrainian President Zelensky underscored the attack as a signal of Russia's refusal to end hostilities. The military situation remains tense with ongoing retaliatory strikes and casualties reported on both sides.

Russia has launched the largest aerial attack on Ukraine over a 24-hour period since the war began, hitting cities across the country with 948 drones.

Ukraine's Air Force stated that 556 drones had been fired since 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT) on Tuesday, marking an unusual and bold daytime attack that led to at least three fatalities and dozens of injuries.

In the western city of Lviv, local officials reported damage to the 16th-century Bernardine monastery, a part of a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the city center.

The Ivano-Frankivsk region also faced devastation as a maternity hospital was struck. Following this assault, an overnight attack resulted in five additional casualties in various Ukrainian regions.

In his evening video address, President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that the scale of Russian attacks illustrates Moscow's refusal to seek peace.

Russian military forces have yet to make a formal statement regarding the attacks.

A video published earlier showcased flames engulfing a residential building adjacent to the Bernardine monastery, emphasizing the attack's devastation. With 32 people reportedly injured in Lviv and two fatalities, including a child, in Ivano-Frankivsk, the strikes highlighted the ongoing peril to civilians.

Additionally, the regional capital of Vinnytsia experienced a loss of one life and injuries to 13 others following these assaults.

Ukraine's military forces responded by claiming the interception of numerous Russian drones and missiles, stating that, despite the successful defense, several direct hits were reported nationwide, marking February 2022's full-scale invasion as an ongoing source of conflict.

As retaliation for the drone onslaught, Russia also reported injuries in its Kursk region due to a Ukrainian drone strike.

In the current climate, ongoing peace negotiations led by the US appear stalled, coinciding with the surge in military activity between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska urged that the human cost of war must not be lost amid global headlines about extensive geopolitical turmoil.