Kyiv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russia attacked with more than 200 drones in an overnight attack. He criticized Russia’s “aerial terror” and urged unity among Ukraine’s allies.
Every day, our people stand against aerial terror,
he noted on X.
On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, Russia launched 267 attack drones against Ukraine — the largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages.
Every day, our people stand against aerial terror. On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, Russia launched 267 attack drones against Ukraine — the largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages. In total, nearly 1,150 attack… pic.twitter.com/YvCNuZorvX
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 23, 2025
Ukraine’s air force stated that 138 of the drones were shot down and another 119 vanished from radars after being stopped by electronic warfare, saying that Russia also fired three ballistic missiles.
Ukraine’s President said that in total, about 1,150 attack drones, as well as 1,400 guided aerial bombs and 35 of various types of missiles, were fired by Russia at Ukraine.
“This is achievable through the unity of all partners — we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who seeks lasting peace.”
Ukraine and its European partners have been shocked by new U.S. President Donald Trump verbally bashing Zelenskiy last week, as well as by a discussion between U.S. and Russian representatives in Riyadh to which Ukraine was not invited.
How does Russia begin increasing drone attacks on Ukraine?
In the past three months, Russia has massively escalated the use of drones against Ukraine. Between February and January 2025, Russia conducted a series of drone attacks. On February 18, Russia sent 176 drones against Ukraine prior to peace negotiations with U.S. officials.
The drones were destroyed by the Ukrainian forces in excess of 100. Russian drone attacks have targeted increasingly key infrastructure. In particular, on February 16, a drone attack destroyed a thermal power plant in Mykolaiv, and tens of thousands were left without heat in subfreezing weather.
