Zelenskiy Warns Russia Is Expanding Daytime Drone Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Russia could launch waves of drone attacks throughout the day, after more than 100 drones were detected in Ukrainian airspace. He said Moscow has increasingly shifted to daytime strikes after largely conducting major drone and missile attacks at night since the war began more than four years ago.

Zelenskiy said Russia was “deliberately targeting our railway infrastructure and civilian sites in our cities,” describing the strikes as increasingly brazen. He urged Ukrainians to remain resilient and called on international partners to keep supporting Ukraine.

In recent weeks, Russia has repeatedly sent hundreds of drones and missiles during daylight hours, a change that Ukrainian officials say is more disruptive to civilian life. Zelenskiy said Russia set a record for the number of weapons used in a single strike on March 24.

Air force reports 139 drones launched since Tuesday evening

Ukraine’s air force said Russia attacked with 139 drones since 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Tuesday. It said 111 of the drones were shot down or otherwise neutralized.

Zelenskiy said it was important “to repel every attack with resilience,” and argued that continued attention and support are essential as Russia presses its air campaign.

Russia denies targeting civilians as Kyiv hits energy sites

Moscow denies intentionally targeting civilians, but says strikes on civil infrastructure are legitimate if they degrade Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russia of attacking civilian areas.

Kyiv has also intensified long-range strikes on Russia’s energy industry, though on a smaller scale, as both sides adjust tactics in the conflict.

Officials have not provided a timetable for the next wave of attacks, and Ukraine’s air defenses remained on alert for further daytime strikes.