In an unprecedented escalation, Russian military forces launched their largest drone attack against Ukraine, severely affecting the power supply in the western city of Ternopil and damaging residential structures in the Kyiv region, as reported by officials on Tuesday. This surge in nighttime drone assaults aligns with an increased Russian offensive aimed at advancing along eastern frontlines, marking some of the most significant territorial gains since the onset of the conflict in 2022.

During the overnight strike, a total of 188 drones were deployed, of which Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted 76. However, around 96 drones evaded detection, likely due to the effects of active electronic warfare measures employed by Russia. This operation involved both low-cost “suicide” drones and decoy drones, complicating Ukraine’s air defense response. Officials noted that, despite the scale of the attack, there were no reported casualties, although critical infrastructure and several residential areas suffered significant damage.

The drone assault left approximately 70% of Ternopil's power supply compromised, deeply affecting local infrastructure. Governor Vyacheslav Nehoda highlighted that the incident would have long-lasting repercussions on the region's power availability. Furthermore, the attack disrupted water services and heating supplies, prompting local emergency services to restore operations swiftly. By the morning, water supply interruptions had mostly been resolved, but planned power cuts were anticipated to manage the ongoing service disruptions.

As the drones targeted the capital city of Kyiv, local military officials confirmed that air defense systems successfully intercepted more than ten Russian drones. Nonetheless, falling debris from the intercepted drones resulted in damage to private homes, garage structures, and vehicles in surrounding areas. Most of Ukraine was placed under an air raid alert for an extended period during these attacks, as safety protocols remained active across the nation.