Russia launches 800 drones

Russia widened its aerial assault on Ukraine on May 13 and early on May 14, pairing a daytime mass drone barrage across much of the country with overnight strikes on Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had launched at least 800 drones since the start of May 13, calling it one of the longest large-scale attacks of the war. In Kyiv early on Thursday, officials said a residential building in the Darnytskyi district was partially destroyed and residents were likely trapped under rubble. In Kharkiv, local authorities also reported fresh strikes on multiple districts as the attacks rolled into a second day. ### How large was the drone attack that Zelensky described? Volodymyr Zelensky said in a May 13 statement that Russia had launched at least 800 drones during the day and that additional waves were still entering Ukrainian airspace. He said Russia’s aim was to overload Ukrainian air defenses during a prolonged attack on civilian and critical infrastructure. (kyivindependent.com) Ukraine’s air force gave a narrower operational count for part of that assault, saying Russia launched 753 drones between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. local time on May 13 and that air defense units damaged or destroyed 710 of them. The Kyiv Independent, citing the air force, said the total rose above 892 drones when aircraft launched the previous night were included. (kyivindependent.com) ### What happened in Kyiv overnight on May 14? Kyiv officials said Russia attacked the capital with drones and missiles early on May 14, damaging several buildings. Reuters images published by CBC showed rescuers working at a damaged apartment block, and officials said part of one residential building had collapsed with residents possibly trapped inside. (kyivindependent.com) Ukrainska Pravda and Kyiv Post, citing the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and Mayor Vitali Klitschko, reported that the strike hit Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district and left people under rubble. Kyiv Post said rescuers later pulled 10 people from the debris. ### Which other cities were hit as the barrage spread? Kharkiv authorities said Russian drones struck several districts of the city late on May 13 and into May 14. (cbc.ca) Ukrainska Pravda reported evening strikes in multiple districts on May 13, while NV, citing regional governor Oleh Synehubov, said morning attacks on May 14 injured 23 people, including two children, in the Shevchenkivskyi and Saltivskyi districts. (pravda.com.ua) The May 13 assault also reached far beyond the northeast. Zelensky said the attack stretched across 20 regions, and reporting cited damage and casualties in places including Odesa, Rivne and western regions as drones crossed much of the country in daylight. ### What was Moscow demanding as the attacks continued? (pravda.com.ua) The Kremlin said Ukraine would have to withdraw from Russian-claimed territory as a condition for further negotiations. The Institute for the Study of War’s Critical Threats project cited Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on May 13 as saying Ukrainian forces must cease fire and leave Russian-claimed oblasts before more talks on ending the war. (kyivindependent.com) Reuters reported in August 2025, citing three sources familiar with Kremlin thinking, that Vladimir Putin was demanding Ukraine give up all of the eastern Donbas region, renounce NATO ambitions, remain neutral and keep Western troops out. That reporting predates the current attacks, but it remains part of the negotiating position described by people close to the Kremlin. (criticalthreats.org) ### What is happening in Washington on Ukraine aid? The U.S. House reached the 218 signatures needed on May 13 to force consideration of the Ukraine Support Act, a bill introduced by Representative Gregory Meeks of New York. Politico reported that Representative Kevin Kiley of California provided the decisive signature and that Democratic lawmakers plan to force a floor vote in the first week of June. (uk.news.yahoo.com) The measure would provide $1.3 billion in aid to Ukraine and impose new sanctions on Russia, according to Politico and Ukrinform. Ukrinform, citing the New York Times, said the bill could come to the floor as early as late May and also includes up to $8 billion in direct loans and provisions to replenish U.S. stockpiles. (politico.com) Gregory Meeks, Kevin Kiley, Brian Fitzpatrick and Don Bacon are among the named participants in the next step, with House action now tied to the discharge petition timetable and a floor vote expected in early June. (politico.com)