Russia strikes Ukraine with over 700 drones amid Trump's decision to send more weapons

Russia targeted Ukraine just a day after US President Donald Trump pledged to send more weapons to Kyiv.

Russia had launched several aerial attacks on Ukraine in recent days.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the attack and wrote on X: "A new massive Russian attack on our cities. It was the highest number of aerial targets in a single day: 741 targets – 728 drones of various types, including over 300 shaheds, and 13 missiles – Kinzhals and Iskanders."

He said most of the drones were shot down.

He said: "Our interceptor drones were used – dozens of enemy targets were downed, and we are scaling up this technology. Mobile fire groups were also active – they downed dozens as well. I thank all our warriors for their precision."

"At the moment, efforts are ongoing across many regions of Ukraine to eliminate the consequences of last night’s Russian attack," he said.

He said the main target of the strike was  Lutsk.

He said damage has also been reported in the Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions.

Trump to send more weapons to Ukraine

Meanwhile, Trump on Monday announced his administration will send more defensive weapons to Ukraine.

"We're going to send some more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves," Mr. Trump told reporters during a White House event as quoted by CBS News.

UN refugee agency helps repair homes amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine

As relentless attacks continue to damage homes and communities across Ukraine, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has now helped repair over 40,000 war-damaged homes – marking a major step in helping displaced families return and recover.

In the fourth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, housing remains one of the country’s most urgent humanitarian and recovery challenges. The destruction has been widespread and ongoing.

According to the latest Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, 13 per cent of Ukraine’s housing stock has been damaged since February 2022, impacting an estimated 2.5 million families.

More than buildings

In coordination with Ukrainian authorities and partners, UNHCR has invested over $114 million in durable housing solutions since July 2022, supporting both durable home repairs and emergency shelter assistance.

“By helping repair houses and apartments, we are enabling people to stay in or return to their homes – places that hold profound meaning, often passed down through generations,” said Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCR’s representative in Ukraine. 

“These are not just buildings. These are treasured spaces where couples raised their children, families celebrated milestones, cared for older relatives and built their lives together,” she said.

UNHCR’s support includes a range of solutions: contracting local builders, providing construction materials or offering cash assistance to homeowners.

Repairs may include roofs, windows, insulation and in some cases, major reconstruction. The agency also helps restore common areas in apartment buildings.