Russia launches massive drone barrage

Russia hit Ukraine with one of its largest aerial assaults of the war on May 14, sending drones and missiles into Kyiv and other cities after a three-day ceasefire lapsed. Ukrainian officials said the overnight attack from late May 13 into the morning of May 14 involved 675 drones and 56 missiles, including ballistic missiles, with Kyiv the main target. (cbsnews.com) Rescue crews worked through the day in the capital after an apartment block was torn open, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the two-day total reached 1,567 drones and 56 missiles. (ukrinform.net) Kyiv authorities said the strike destroyed an entire section of a residential building from the first to the ninth floor. Zelenskyy said on May 15 that 24 people, including three children, were killed in that missile strike on the building. (ukrinform.net) CBS, citing Ukrainian officials, reported that more than 1,500 drones and over 50 missiles were launched over two nights and that other cities hit included Odesa, Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk and Kharkiv. ### How large was the attack, and what did Ukraine say it shot down? The Ukrainian Air Force said air defenses shot down or suppressed 41 missiles and 652 drones in the overnight assault. Ukrinform, citing the Air Force, said the barrage began on the evening of May 13 and ran into the morning of May 14. (ukrinform.net) Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s foreign minister, said the same overnight attack damaged 11 residential buildings in Kyiv and more than 50 across the country. Sybiha said he had asked for a strong international response and instructed Ukrainian embassies to lower flags and open books of condolences. (president.gov.ua) ### What did Zelenskyy say about Russia’s tactics? Zelenskyy said on May 14 that Russia had mounted a “massive and virtually nonstop” attack that lasted nearly 48 hours. CBS quoted him as saying Russia had “amassed drones and missiles over a period of time” and had calculated the strike to create “the greatest possible difficulties” for Ukrainian air defenses. (ukrinform.net) In his evening address on May 14, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needed continued work on systems to counter Shahed drones and said ballistic-missile defense remained a daily priority. He also said Ukrainian diplomats needed daily results in talks with partners on air defense. ### Which places were hit beyond Kyiv? (ukrinform.net) Odesa region was among the areas struck during the same wave. Ukrinform reported that Russian drones hit an energy facility there, causing power outages, and said critical infrastructure had been switched to backup power. CBS reported that 20 sites were attacked in Kyiv alone, including a school and a veterinary clinic. (cbsnews.com) The outlet said residential buildings in the capital were demolished and that rescue operations were continuing after the strike. ### What happened around the ceasefire and diplomacy? May 10 marked the point when Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s contacts with the American side on guarantees were continuing and that a “1,000 for 1,000” prisoner exchange was being prepared. (president.gov.ua) In the same May 10 address, he said the Americans had assumed responsibility for guarantees tied to arrangements recently announced by the U.S. president. May 11 brought another warning from Zelenskyy, who said Ukraine was bracing for new attacks because Russia had shown no intention of ending the war. (ukrinform.net) By May 14, after the large strike, he was again pressing partners for more anti-ballistic support. ### What comes next in the international response? (cbsnews.com) Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry moved to take the case to the United Nations after the attack. Ukrinform reported that Sybiha initiated an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council in response to the killings of Ukrainian civilians. The emergency meeting is scheduled for May 19, according to Ukrinform. (president.gov.ua) Zelenskyy on May 15 also marked the strike at the ruined Kyiv apartment building, where his office said the missile attack killed 24 people, including three children. (ukrinform.net)