Ukraine claims 117 Russian drones launched in overnight strikes

ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed on Wednesday that Russian forces launched 117 drones in overnight strikes, targeting multiple regions and causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

“Last night, there were another 117 proofs in our skies of how Russia continues to drag out this war – 117 strike drones, most of them Shaheds,” Zelenskyy said in a statement, adding that Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a large number of them.

According to Zelenskyy, the attacks hit Dnipro, Sumy, Cherkasy, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions, with a massive drone strike on Kryvyi Rih, damaging a local enterprise and civilian infrastructure.

In Okhtyrka, Sumy region, homes and stores were reportedly hit.

The Ukrainian president urged for stronger international action against Moscow. “There must also be clear pressure and strong action from the world on Russia – more pressure, more sanctions from the United States – to stop Russian strikes,” he said.

Zelenskyy also claimed that Moscow’s continued attacks indicate it has no intention of seeking peace, referencing a US-backed ceasefire proposal from March 11.

“Literally every night, through its attacks, Russia keeps saying ‘no’ to our partners’ peace proposal,” he added.