Ukraine’s air force reported that nearly 400 long-range drones were deployed overnight in the coordinated strike, targeting multiple regions and damaging residential infrastructure. Officials said the assault began late on March 23 and continued into the early hours of March 24, making it one of the largest drone barrages recorded in recent weeks. Emergency services were dispatched to affected areas to assist victims and assess the extent of the destruction.

The offensive extended into daylight hours, with dozens of drones targeting the capital Kyiv. Air defense systems were activated as authorities issued warnings to residents, and several incoming threats were intercepted. However, some drones reached urban areas, causing casualties and damage to buildings, underscoring the vulnerability of civilian zones amid sustained aerial attacks.

The scale and timing of the strikes suggest a shift in Russia’s military strategy, combining intensified drone warfare with renewed ground operations. Russian forces have stepped up attempts to breach Ukrainian defensive lines, indicating what analysts believe could be the early phase of a coordinated spring campaign.

Ukrainian officials have renewed calls for increased international support, particularly for advanced air defense systems, as the country continues to face repeated waves of drone and missile strikes targeting both civilian areas and critical infrastructure.