Russia launches record 472 drones at Ukraine ahead of peace talks 

“Russia has recently increased the number of drones used in nightly attacks,” Reuters reported.

The attack caused significant damage across parts of Ukraine. Earlier on Sunday, the Ukrainian military said a separate Russian missile strike hit an army training unit located far behind the front line, killing at least 12 service members and injuring more than 60 others.

According to BBC News, an investigative commission has been formed to look into how the attack caused such a high number of casualties. The air force noted that with the skies crowded with Russian drones, Ukraine has been trying to avoid large troop gatherings to reduce the risk of strikes.

Ukrainian forces are also facing manpower shortages, BBC said, adding that Russia continues to use reconnaissance and drones to locate military positions deep inside Ukrainian territory.

Despite the damage caused by Russia’s latest attack, Ukraine carried out its own operation on Sunday targeting Russian airbases. According to BBC, Ukraine’s domestic security agency, the SBU, said it launched drones that hit at least four airbases in Russia, destroying several military aircraft.

The drone operation, reportedly called “Operation Spider’s Web,” involved drones hidden in wooden cabins smuggled into Russia, which were later launched remotely from trucks. Ukraine estimates the damage at over $2 billion, BBC reported.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine’s delegation would travel to Istanbul for the next round of peace talks on Monday. He said Defence Minister Rustem Umerov would lead the talks, and that Kyiv is continuing efforts to protect its state and people.

Russia’s RIA news agency also confirmed that its delegation had departed for the talks.