On April 1, Ukraine experienced a significant escalation in drone attacks from Russia, with the Ukrainian Air Force reporting that 361 strike drones were launched during daylight hours.
According to military sources, this wave of attacks followed an overnight strike that began on March 31. In total, over 700 drones were deployed within a 24-hour period, including various models such as the Shahed and Gerbera.
Throughout the day, the majority of the drones approached from the southeast, targeting western regions of Ukraine. In response, all available air defense resources were mobilized, including piloted aircraft, anti-aircraft drones, electronic warfare systems, and ground-based air defense units.
Despite these efforts, the Ukrainian military reported 14 confirmed hits resulting from the attacks, with casualties reported among civilians. By 6:00 PM local time, Ukrainian air defenses had successfully intercepted or neutralized approximately 345 enemy drones.
Military officials indicated that several Russian drones remained active in Ukrainian airspace, and operations to counter the ongoing threat were still underway.
Ukraine's air defenses faced a renewed onslaught of drone attacks from Russia, with over 700 drones launched in a 24-hour period. The military reported significant interceptions but confirmed civilian casualties.