Witold Stupnicki on Russia’s largest drone attack on Ukraine

Witold Stupnicki, Europe and Central Asia Senior Analyst at ACLED, said: 

“Russia’s launch of 948 drones against Ukraine over 24 hours on 23–24 March marks the largest single-day drone attack since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. As a result, ACLED now records 7503 air or drone strikes in Ukraine conducted by the Russian military forces, and 3364 Ukrainian forces’ strikes in Russia since the beginning of 2026, underscoring a sharp escalation in long-range strike tactics.

“The assault unfolded in two phases: an overnight barrage of 392 drones and 34 missiles, followed by an unprecedented daytime wave of 556 drones. The daytime strikes reached deep into western Ukraine, hitting cities far from the front line, including Lviv’s UNESCO-listed historic center, as well as Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, and Vinnytsia.

“The attack followed what Ukraine’s military command assessed as the launch of Russia’s spring–summer 2026 offensive, with intensified ground assaults reported since 17 March. Beyond Ukraine, the strikes also severed Moldova’s Isaccea–Vulcanesti power link with Europe and prompted Poland to scramble fighter jets, with wider regional spillover risks.”