Russia Escalates with Major Aerial Assault on Ukraine

Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine, using over 200 missiles and drones, which targeted critical energy infrastructure and resulted in significant damage and civilian casualties. Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes hit 15 regions, causing power and water outages in areas including Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for long-range weapon capabilities and removal of restrictions on defensive strikes. The attack appears to be part of a broader strategy to degrade Ukraine’s power systems ahead of winter. Poland reported that a drone likely entered its airspace, prompting high alert. In response, Ukraine announced the deployment of a new long-range missile-drone hybrid named 'Palianytsia'.