Russia has launched its largest attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on Monday.

The massive assault resulted in the deaths of seven people and left 47 others injured, according to the State Emergency Service.

The coordinated Russian offensive targeted 15 oblasts across Ukraine, as confirmed by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. A total of 127 missiles and 109 drones were launched by Russian forces, with Ukraine's air defense successfully downing 102 missiles and 99 drones, the Air Force stated. Despite these efforts, several civilian, energy, and fuel facilities were hit, including a dam that is part of the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant.

Ukrainian forces managed to intercept a range of sophisticated Russian weaponry, including one Kinzhal ballistic missile, one Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missile, and one Kh-22 cruise missile. In addition, they intercepted 99 Kh-101, Kalibr, and Kh-59/69 cruise missiles, as well as 99 Shahed-type drones. However, a few drones went missing from location radars and were lost over Ukrainian territory, with two unmanned aerial vehicles reportedly crossing the border into Belarus.

To repel the extensive attack, Ukraine deployed all available resources, including jets, anti-aircraft missile forces, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare units, according to the Air Force.

In response to the assault, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held an urgent meeting with key officials, including Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, and Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of the state grid operator Ukrenergo. The group discussed the effectiveness of air defense systems, electronic warfare, and mobile fire groups in each affected region, as well as the ongoing demining operations at sites hit by Russian attacks.

"Demining operations are critical before power engineers can begin repairs, especially in areas where cluster munitions were used by Russian forces," Zelensky said, underscoring the challenges faced by Ukraine as it continues to defend against the Russian invasion. (ILKHA)