Russia Launches Record 805-Drone Attack on Ukraine, NATO Responds
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a record-breaking aerial assault on Ukraine on March 10, 2024. This attack involved over 800 drones and decoys aimed at various targets, including the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. The assault resulted in at least two fatalities and numerous injuries, with officials confirming that the strike was the largest drone attack since the onset of the full-scale invasion.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat stated that the attack included the deployment of 805 drones alongside 13 types of missiles. Ukrainian forces managed to intercept a substantial number of these threats, successfully shooting down 747 drones and four missiles. This coordinated effort reflects the increasing intensity of Russia’s aerial campaign.
NATO Mobilizes in Response to Aerial Assault
In response to the unprecedented scale of the attack, NATO scrambled allied fighter jets over Poland, close to the Ukrainian border. Ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were placed on a state of “maximum readiness” as a precautionary measure. Ukrainian officials reported a total of nine missile hits and 56 drone strikes across 37 locations, with debris falling in eight different areas.
Smoke was observed rising from the roof of the Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv, raising concerns about a possible direct hit. While it remains unclear whether the damage was caused by an enemy strike or falling debris, the incident marks a troubling shift in Russia’s targeting strategy, as government buildings in central Kyiv have previously been spared from attacks.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed the structural damage, stating, “For the first time, the government building was damaged by an enemy attack, including the roof and upper floors.” She emphasized the need for the international community to respond not just with words but with action, calling for enhanced sanctions against Russian oil and gas.
Human Cost of the Attack
The devastating assault resulted in at least two deaths, including that of a one-year-old child, whose remains were recovered from the rubble, as reported by Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s city administration. Additionally, the attack impacted residential areas, with drone wreckage hitting a nine-story apartment building in Kyiv’s Sviatoshynskyi district and a four-story residential structure in Darnytskyi district, as confirmed by Mayor Vitallii Klitschko.
This incident marks the second large-scale Russian drone and missile bombardment targeting Kyiv in a span of two weeks. As violence escalates, prospects for peace negotiations appear increasingly bleak. European leaders have urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in dialogue aimed at ending the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his willingness to meet with Putin to discuss peace.
Zelenskyy also called for strong measures against Russia from the United States, urging President Donald Trump to impose severe sanctions to compel Moscow to cease its military actions.
As this situation unfolds, the international community continues to monitor developments, recognizing the urgent need for a coordinated response to the ongoing conflict.
