Russia has unleashed its heaviest strikes on Ukraine since the start of the war with President Volodymyr Zelensky describing the attacks as "demonstrative".
It comes as Nato scrambled its warplanes overnight in an emergency response as 741 hypersonic missiles and kamikaze drones decimated Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory - the most in one night since the war began in 2023.
Lutsk and Ternopil, in the west of Ukraine, were two of the heaviest-hit targets by Russia.
It saw Nato forces spurred into emergency action in neighbouring Poland.
Warsaw’s armed forces command said in a statement that "Polish and allied aviation" had began operating in Polish airspace in response to "the attack by the Russian Federation's air forces carrying out strikes on objects located" in Ukrainian territory.
Warehouses in the Kyiv region were set on fire after they were also hit by Russian drones and missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Lutsk was the worst hit overnight, however, 10 other regions were also damaged.
He said "most targets were shot down" with the Ukraine's interceptor drones deployed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Lutsk was the worst hit overnight
REUTERS
A Russian Investigative Committee officer examines remains of a drone on a beach following what local authorities called a Ukrainian drone attack
REUTERS
"There are dozens of hits, we are scaling up the technology," Zelensky said.
"Mobile fire groups were also working – we also had dozens of hits. Thank you to all the soldiers for their accuracy."
Zelensky said it was a "demonstrative attack" and while there had been "many attempts to achieve peace" along with a ceasefire, it was Russia which "rejects everything".
The strikes come just hours after US President Donald Trump accused his counterpart Vladimir Putin of throwing "bulls***" as talks continue.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Russian attacks 'demonstrative'
REUTERS
Trump has promised to resume the US sending weapons to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Government said most of the incoming Russian strikes were destroyed by their air defence systems, with 303 destroyed and 415 misfired.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said the air attack was "repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned system units" along with mobile fire groups from the country's defence forces.
In wake of Lutsk suffering its worst attacks since the start of the war, the city's mayor, Ihor Polishchuk, said it was "the most mass enemy attack with the use of UAVs and missiles on our city and community".
"Fortunately, at this minute there is no information about the dead as a result of the enemy attack," he said.
"Let’s give thanks to God! Our honour, respect and gratitude to the Air Defence Forces."
Zelensky once again called for the toughest sanctions on Russia, believing it would be the only way to advance peace talks.
He said "painful sanctions" on oil were needed, claiming it had been "pumping money into Moscow's war machine" over the last three years.
The Ukrainian President also highlighted "secondary sanctions" should be put in place on "those who buy this oil and sponsor the killings".
"Our (Western) partners know how to put pressure on Russia so that it will be forced to think about ending the war, not new strikes," he said.
"Anyone who wants peace must act."
Russia was hit by limited Ukrainian strikes overnight, prompting the temporary closure of Moscow airpots Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo.
Military targets on the Kursk border region were also hit as Russia reported two women had been injured.
Most Read
