Russia fired 35 missiles and 185 drones at Ukraine in a large-scale overnight assault, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said. The attack combined both cruise and ballistic missiles with a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles, marking one of the heavier barrages in recent weeks.
What Zelenskiy confirmed
Zelenskiy disclosed the numbers in a public statement, though he did not specify which regions were targeted or how many projectiles were intercepted. Ukrainian air defense units have been under severe strain as Russia increasingly uses mixed salvos to overwhelm defenses. The president did not provide an immediate casualty count or damage assessment.
Scale of the barrage
The 185 drones represent a significant uptick in the use of unmanned systems. Russia has been manufacturing and deploying large numbers of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, often launching them in waves to exhaust Ukrainian air defense ammunition. The 35 missiles add a heavier punch, likely aimed at critical infrastructure or military sites.
Ongoing pattern of attacks
This is not an isolated incident. Russia has been conducting near-daily strikes on Ukrainian energy grids, transport hubs, and residential areas since the fall. The goal appears to be to degrade Ukraine's ability to sustain its war effort and to pressure the civilian population as winter sets in. Ukraine has repeatedly called for more Western air defense systems to counter the threat.
Zelenskiy's statement did not include details on the success of the attack or the response. Ukrainian officials often release interception figures and damage reports hours after an assault, once the all-clear is sounded and emergency crews have surveyed the scene.
