Zelensky: Russia Launched 145 Drones Towards Ukraine Overnight

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, stated on Sunday that Russia launched 145 drones towards Ukraine overnight, marking the highest number in a single nighttime attack during this war so far. In a brief message posted on social media, Zelensky called on Kyiv's Western partners for assistance in protecting the skies of the country, saying, "Last night, Russia set a record by launching 145 Shahed drones and other attack drones against Ukraine." Previously, Russian officials had reported that on Sunday morning, Ukraine targeted areas of Moscow with at least 17 drones, leading to the temporary closure of two airports in the capital. According to Reuters, Sergey Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, stated that 12 drones were intercepted in the Ramenskoye and Kolomensky areas of Moscow, as well as in the city of Domodedovo in the southwest of Moscow. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and has since occupied areas in the country. Ukraine has declared that it will not rest until the last Russian soldier leaves its territory, although U.S. military officials have emphasized that achieving this goal requires vast resources that Ukraine currently does not possess. Vladimir Putin outlined his conditions for ending the war in June of this year, demanding that Ukraine abandon its request to join NATO and withdraw all Ukrainian forces from areas claimed by Russia. Ukraine views these conditions as tantamount to surrender. The Biden administration has emphasized the continuation of its policies in the Middle East and Ukraine. The temporary closure of two airports in Moscow followed Ukrainian drone attacks. Ukraine has canceled its air transport agreement with Iran.