Russia has launched its most significant drone barrage of the Ukraine war, sending nearly 50,000 drones and 20 missiles into Ukraine overnight, Kyiv said. Ukraine’s air force reported that 277 of the 479 drones launched were intercepted, with 19 missiles also destroyed mid-flight. The attacks, which primarily targeted central and western regions of Ukraine, reportedly caused only one injury, with 10 drones or missiles hitting their intended targets. The assault, which began in the late evening, is a common tactic for Russia to avoid detection during the dark.
Despite the massive attack, Russia’s Kremlin expressed its willingness to continue discussions on a prisoner exchange agreement with Ukraine, despite Kyiv’s failure to follow through on previous commitments. The talks, initiated in Istanbul in June, aim for a new swap of at least 1,200 prisoners, focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded. Additionally, the agreement includes the repatriation of thousands of bodies of those killed in the war. However, Ukraine has not yet honored its part of the bargain, with the Kremlin accusing Kyiv of providing inadequate reasons for the delay.
Russia’s use of Shahed drones has been particularly effective in targeting civilian areas, which has resulted in over 12,000 civilian deaths, according to the United Nations. While Russia claims its attacks are solely directed at military targets, the casualties have raised significant concerns about the conflict’s humanitarian impact. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in the war, with both sides struggling to make substantial progress in peace negotiations, despite their shared commitment to addressing the humanitarian issues, such as the repatriation of the dead and prisoner exchanges. The continued conflict has significant implications for the region’s stability and the global community’s response to the crisis.