In the aftermath of Ukraine’s advance towards Kursk, Russia launched a massive airstrike on several regions of Ukraine, killing at least seven people and wounding more. According to ReutersThis is the largest airstrike Russia has carried out since the war began in 2022.
Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk called it Russia’s “most massive attack,” according to CNN.
The Russian Defense Ministry denied targeting Ukrainian civilians, calling the strikes an “attack with a precision weapon,” Reuters reported.
The first strike began Monday morning, with 15 regions targeted with drones, cruise missiles and hypersonic missiles, CNN reported. More strikes were carried out Tuesday morning.
“Like most previous Russian attacks, this one was equally despicable and targeted critical civilian infrastructure,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, according to The Associated Press.
The airstrike came on the same day that the Kremlin publicly discussed possible ceasefire talks and promised retaliatory measures for Kursk. “Such hostile actions cannot remain without an appropriate response,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to Reuters.
In response, Ukraine shot down a number of drones and missiles, while simultaneously launching dozens of drones aimed at western Russia.
Zelenskyy also asked allies to “consider joint air defense operations and provide long-range capabilities,” Reuters reported.