Ukraine Reports Overnight Russian Drone Attack Exceeding 100 Drones

KYIV, Ukraine, 9 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Ukraine announced on Sunday that Russia launched over one hundred drones overnight, targeting the capital and multiple regions at a critical stage in the ongoing conflict, as the United States has suspended military aid.

The latest wave of assaults follows deadly strikes on Friday and Saturday in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, which claimed at least 14 lives.

Ukraine is scheduled to hold talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with Washington seeking to negotiate a ceasefire and a “framework” for a peace deal. This comes after the US halted arms shipments to Kyiv and restricted access to intelligence reports and satellite imagery.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 119 drones overnight. Of these, 71 were intercepted over a dozen regions, including Kyiv, while 37 others went missing without reported casualties. The remaining drones caused damage in six regions, though specific details were not provided.

On Saturday evening, a glide bomb attack struck residential buildings in the town of Druzhkivka, in the Donetsk region, where the front line now lies dangerously close to several major towns. Prosecutors reported that 12 people, including a 15-year-old girl, were wounded.

Photographs from the scene show multi-storey apartment buildings and a café with shattered windows and debris scattered across the streets.

Meanwhile, Russia claimed that Ukraine had launched 131 drones targeting its Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. The Russian defence ministry reported that 101 of these drones were intercepted, with regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stating that no casualties were reported.

Background Context:
The escalation in drone warfare underscores the growing reliance on unmanned aerial attacks by both sides in the absence of large-scale territorial advances. While Ukraine faces significant challenges due to Washington’s decision to freeze military aid, Russia continues its strategy of sustained aerial bombardments.

The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia will be closely watched, as any potential ceasefire discussions could shift the trajectory of the war. However, with both Kyiv and Moscow entrenched in their positions, the likelihood of an immediate resolution remains uncertain.