Russia Daytime Drone Attack on Ukraine Injures Dozens, Hits Lviv

A rare Russia daytime drone attack on Ukraine has left several people dead and dozens injured, shocking residents as strikes hit in broad daylight. Officials said the attack targeted the western city of Lviv, damaging buildings in its historic center and causing panic among civilians.

Russia launched more than 550 drones during the day, a major shift from its usual night-time attacks. The strikes came after an earlier overnight assault involving hundreds of drones and missiles, bringing the total number of drones launched to nearly 1,000 since Monday evening.

In Lviv, at least three people were killed and more than 20 were injured when a drone hit a building near a church in the city’s historic area. The region, which includes a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also saw damage to parts of the Bernardine monastery complex. Local officials said another drone hit a residential building, while debris from a third fell onto a street.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the scale of the attack shows that Russia is not ready to end the war. He called for stronger international pressure on Moscow, saying more action is needed to stop the violence.

The attack also caused deaths and injuries in other regions. In Ivano-Frankivsk, a national guard soldier and his teenage daughter were killed. In Vinnytsia, one person died and more than a dozen were injured. Officials said damage was reported across multiple regions, including energy facilities in Ternopil.

Air defence systems were active throughout the day, especially around Kyiv, as forces tried to stop incoming drones. Despite efforts, several targets were hit, causing fires and destruction.

Russia has denied targeting civilians, but its attacks since the start of the war in 2022 have caused thousands of deaths and widespread damage to infrastructure. Ukraine has also carried out strikes on Russian energy sites in response.

The Russia daytime drone attack on Ukraine has raised fresh concerns about safety, especially as attacks are now happening during the day. Ukrainian leaders are again urging allies to provide more air defence support as the war continues to intensify.