Russian Air Raids Escalate, Hundreds Of Weapons Airborne

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched its biggest aerial attack against Ukraine overnight. The escalating bombing campaign has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the 3-year-old war. Ukraine’s air force says the assault involved 537 aerial weapons including drones and missiles, of which 249 were intercepted and 226 were likely jammed. The strikes targeted several regions, including western Ukraine, far from the front lines. Officials confirmed two deaths, one in Kherson and another in the Kharkiv region. Ukraine’s air force said one of its F-16 warplanes supplied by its Western partners crashed after sustaining damage while shooting down air targets. The pilot died.