• Russia launched over 1,560 drones in a major assault, primarily targeting Kyiv.
• The attacks killed at least 27 people, with emergency operations ongoing.
• Ukrainian officials emphasize the need for international support in light of the escalating conflict.

Russia has executed its largest aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying more than 1,560 drones and missiles over a two-day period, significantly impacting cities across the nation, particularly Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that over 670 drones were launched overnight, leading to at least three fatalities and injuring around 40 individuals. "These are definitely not the actions of those who believe the war is coming to an end," Zelenskyy stated, stressing the importance of continued international support for Ukraine's air defenses, according to scmp, aljazeera, and channelnewsasia.

The assault heavily damaged urban infrastructure in Kyiv, with reports indicating strikes across six districts and significant devastation to a nine-storey residential building, which is now the focus of ongoing rescue operations. Local emergency services have mobilized over 1,500 workers across the country to aid recovery efforts. "There were people there, children. What happened to them?" expressed a local resident amidst the chaos. The attacks further targeted energy facilities, resulting in widespread electricity disruptions across 11 Ukrainian regions, elucidated Zelenskyy, according to scmp and channelnewsasia.

This drone offensive follows mixed signals regarding potential peace talks, as Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that the war might be "coming to an end," a notion that Ukrainian officials reject amid escalating hostilities. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that only sustained global pressure on Moscow could prompt a cessation of its aggressive tactics. "I am certain that the leaders of the United States and China have enough leverage over Moscow to tell Putin to finally end the war," he remarked, as echoed by both aljazeera and channelnewsasia.