Russia has launched one of its largest aerial assaults this week, targeting several regions of Ukraine in a coordinated overnight drone bombardment that included a direct strike on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih.

It was gathered that the attack, described by Ukrainian officials as “massive,” took place late Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday, marking a new escalation in the ongoing war.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Moscow deployed approximately 400 long-range drones along with one missile in the offensive.

This marks the largest single drone strike against Ukraine so far this week, as Russian forces continue to intensify their efforts across key battlefronts.

Ukraine’s defense forces responded by intercepting or disabling at least 345 of the aerial threats, demonstrating their increased air defense capabilities in recent months.

However, despite these defensive measures, significant damage was reported in several cities.

The affected regions include the Odesa region in the south, Kharkiv in the northeast, Vinnytsia in the central-west, and Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Zelensky, located in central Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region.

Local authorities in Kryvyi Rih confirmed the bombardment caused widespread panic among residents, with several infrastructure facilities and civilian buildings damaged in the raid.

Emergency crews were deployed overnight to contain fires and conduct rescue operations, although the full scale of damage and casualties is still being assessed.

The latest attack comes as Ukraine’s lawmakers are urgently debating increased defense spending in response to mounting Russian aggression.

The vote in Kyiv is seen as a critical step in bolstering the country’s military resources, particularly as Russia intensifies aerial and ground assaults on multiple fronts.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukraine has faced a relentless barrage of missile and drone attacks, many aimed at civilian areas, power stations, and logistics hubs.

Moscow’s use of drones, especially Iranian-made Shahed drones, has become a key strategy in its campaign to exhaust Ukraine’s air defense systems and instill terror among the population.

Tuesday’s overnight strike represents another shift toward sustained drone warfare, with analysts warning that Russia may be preparing for a prolonged conflict designed to wear down Ukrainian resilience.

In Kryvyi Rih, a city with strong symbolic and strategic importance, the attack struck particularly deep.

President Zelensky has previously highlighted the importance of his hometown, not only as a symbol of Ukrainian resistance but also as a logistical base in central Ukraine.

This is not the first time the city has come under fire.

In the past two years, Kryvyi Rih has endured multiple rocket and drone strikes, including incidents that damaged residential apartments, schools, and critical infrastructure.

Ukrainian military sources say the increasing use of mass drone swarms is a tactic meant to stretch Ukrainian defenses and probe for vulnerabilities.

While Ukraine’s intercept rate remains high, officials have warned that each wave of attacks places additional strain on air defense systems and manpower.

In light of these challenges, President Zelensky has repeatedly called for increased support from Western allies, including more air defense systems, long-range artillery, and financial aid for military procurement.

The recent wave of Russian strikes comes amid diplomatic tensions and renewed global attention on Ukraine’s struggle.

The Kremlin has justified its actions as part of a “special military operation,” though the international community has widely condemned the invasion as illegal and unjustified.

As of Wednesday morning, air raid sirens continued to sound across parts of Ukraine, with authorities urging citizens to remain in shelters and avoid public areas.

Ukrainian officials vow that despite the intensity of recent attacks, the country will not yield to Russia’s attempts at intimidation.

The government’s proposed increase in military spending is expected to be approved swiftly in parliament, reflecting a united front in the face of escalating Russian aggression.

The situation remains fluid, and Ukrainian defense forces continue to monitor Russian movements closely while reinforcing frontline positions.