Russia launched an aerial assault on Ukraine involving 502 long-range drones and 24 cruise missiles overnight into Wednesday, officials said, as Russia’s Vladimir Putin attended China’s military parade in Beijing.
Ukraine’s air defenses shot down 451 air targets, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, but three missiles and 69 drones struck targets across 14 locations.
Air raid sirens went off in a number of cities in the west of the country, including the capital Kyiv.
“Dozens of residential buildings were damaged across different regions of our country overnight. Firefighting operations are ongoing,” said Zelensky.
Ukraine’s air force said the attacks were continuing this morning local time.
“Attack is ongoing, with several more enemy UAVs in the airspace,” the air force said.
Among the projectiles launched towards Ukraine were 16 Kalibr cruise missiles and eight Kh-101 cruise missiles.
The fresh assault is a stark reminder of the conflict raging in Europe as China’s leader Xi Jinping hosted two leaders waging that war in Beijing.
Some context: While China claims neutrality on the war, the parade in Beijing delivered a striking image of Xi flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whose countries both have troops fighting Ukraine.
China has, however, supported Russia economically during the war and provided it with dual-use goods believed to have supported its war effort.
