• Russia launched a major attack on Ukraine, deploying approximately 600 drones and missiles.
• At least three people were killed and dozens more injured in the assault.
• Key targets included residential areas, civilian infrastructure, and energy facilities in multiple regions.

In a significant escalation, Russia executed a large-scale drone and missile strike early Saturday, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as one of the most intense attacks seen in recent weeks. The assault reportedly involved about 619 aerial vehicles, including 580 drones and 40 missiles, leading to at least three fatalities and numerous injuries across nine regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv. Zelenskyy highlighted that a missile equipped with cluster munitions struck a multi-story building in Dnipro, emphasizing that these attacks were part of a "deliberate strategy" to terrorize civilians and damage Ukraine's infrastructure, according to Reuters, India Times, and ABC News.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that their defensive measures successfully intercepted a significant number of the incoming threats; they managed to destroy 552 drones, two ballistic missiles, and 29 cruise missiles. Nonetheless, the damage inflicted was severe, with local governors confirming that critical infrastructure and residential buildings sustained significant harm. Particularly hard-hit was the Dnipro region, where emergency services responded to damage caused by direct strikes on civilian areas, as detailed in reports from CBS News, LA Times, and BBC.

Amidst international tensions, the Ukrainian military also claimed responsibility for drone strikes that targeted energy infrastructures deep within Russian territory. More specifically, Ukraine's operations included attacks on key refineries in Samara and Saratov, which are vital for Russia's oil supply. These actions are seen as part of Ukraine's strategy to degrade Russia's military capabilities by disrupting its energy supplies, as outlined by India Times and India Times.