Russia launches 1,000-drone assault on Ukraine, killing eight

March 24, 2026 / 11:40 PM

A burning building following a Russian drone attack in Lviv

Sharjah 24 – AFP: Russia launched one of its largest-ever drone attacks on Ukraine, firing nearly 1,000 drones within 24 hours. The strikes killed at least eight people and caused widespread damage across multiple regions.

Civilian casualties and infrastructure damage

In Ivano-Frankivsk, two people were killed and a maternity hospital was damaged, while another fatality was reported in the Vinnytsia region. Overnight strikes across several areas, including Poltava, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, left five more dead and dozens injured, with residential buildings and key infrastructure heavily hit.

Damage in Lviv

In Lviv, drone strikes hit residential areas, sparking fires and damaging buildings. At least 13 people were hospitalized as emergency teams responded to the scene.

Unprecedented daytime strikes

Ukraine’s air force described the assault as one of the largest daytime drone attacks since the war began, with 550 drones launched during the day and 392 overnight—marking a significant escalation in tactics.

Calls for stronger air defences

President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Ukraine urgently needs stronger air defence systems to counter the intensified attacks, especially as supplies face pressure amid global conflicts.

Wider impact and ongoing conflict

The strikes disrupted energy infrastructure, including power lines affecting Moldova and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Meanwhile, fighting continues on the ground, with ongoing clashes and territorial developments reported in eastern Ukraine.