KYIV DAILY - 25 MARCH 2026
Russia Launches 147 Drones Overnight Leaving 150,000 Without Power in Chernihiv, 21,000 in Slavutych; Ukrainian Drones Strike Ust-Luga Oil Terminal for Third Consecutive Day-Fires Still Burning at Russia's Second-Largest Baltic Export Hub
Russia launches record 948 drones in 24 hours killing seven as spring offensive intensifies across Ukraine
Russia fired 392 drones overnight 23-24 March then 556 during daylight 24 March totaling 948 UAVs with Ukrainian air defenses downing 906 but strikes killing seven including National Guard soldier and newborn daughter at maternity hospital, Air Force reports. Signals unprecedented escalation in sustained aerial campaign as Russia shifts to massive drone swarm tactics while launching coordinated spring offensive across multiple fronts with ISW reporting largest single-day UAV attack of war.
Russia strikes UNESCO World Heritage site in Lviv historic center during rare daytime assault damaging Bernardine Monastery area
Russian drones struck central Lviv in broad daylight 24 March hitting UNESCO-listed historic district including Bernardine Monastery with at least 22 injured as Foreign Minister Sybiha urged UNESCO Director-General to respond and Ukraine calls for Russia's expulsion from UNESCO, Lviv Oblast Military Administration reports. Signals deliberate targeting of cultural heritage sites during massive aerial campaign as Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance calls for signing open appeal demanding Russia's UNESCO expulsion over systematic attacks on cultural heritage.
Russian drone from Russian airspace hits Estonian power plant smokestack as Latvia reports drone explosion after entering from Russia
Drone that entered Estonia from Russia struck smokestack at Auvere power plant 25 March with investigation underway, ERR and Ukrinform report, while Latvia's defense authorities reported unidentified drone entering from Russia and exploding with debris discovered in Kraslava district forcing Defense Minister Spruds to cut short Ukraine visit. Signals escalating Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace as Baltic states face growing threat from wayward or deliberately directed UAVs with Estonian and Latvian incidents occurring within 24 hours.
Ukraine destroys Russian Bastion launcher with Zircon hypersonic missiles in occupied Crimea overnight strike DIU reports
Ukrainian Defense Intelligence destroyed Russian P-800 Onyx-capable Bastion coastal defense launcher stationed in occupied Crimean village of Aktachi overnight 23-24 March with exclusive footage released 24 March, DIU and Ukrinform report. Signals continued Ukrainian deep-strike campaign against Russian strategic weapons systems in occupied territories as Defense Express notes strike prevented planned attacks and demonstrates Ukraine's capability to target advanced hypersonic missile launchers.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Russian forces launched 147 strike drones against Ukraine overnight 24-25 March, with Air Force reporting 121 intercepted but strikes recorded at 18 locations across multiple oblasts—leaving approximately 150,000 consumers without electricity in Chernihiv Oblast and 21,000 in Slavutych following damage to energy infrastructure, one woman killed in Odesa Oblast when a Russian drone destroyed a residential building, and 18 injured in Vinnytsia Oblast where two remain in serious condition, per local authorities. Ukrainian drones struck Russia's Ust-Luga oil terminal in Leningrad Oblast overnight 24-25 March for the third consecutive day, igniting fires visible by morning and continuing the sustained campaign against Russia's second-largest Baltic Sea oil export hub handling petroleum products destined for European markets—Russian Telegram channels reported explosions and black smoke columns rising from the port facility approximately 150 kilometers from the Estonian border. President ZELENSKYY stated 24 March that "the scale of today's attack strongly indicates that Russia has no intention of really ending this war" following Russia's launch of 982 aerial targets—948 drones and 34 missiles—over 23-24 March in the largest single-day strike of the full-scale war, killing at least seven including a National Guard soldier and his newborn daughter departing an Ivano-Frankivsk maternity hospital where his wife had just given birth. Latvian Defense Minister Andris SPRUDS cut short his visit to Ukraine 25 March after a drone that entered Latvian airspace from Russia exploded in the country, with debris discovered in Krāslava district, while Estonian authorities confirmed 25 March that a drone crossing from Russian airspace struck a smokestack at the Auvere power plant—the incidents represent the latest in a series of NATO airspace violations by drones likely knocked off course by electronic warfare while targeting Ukrainian or Russian facilities. ZELENSKYY met 24 March with Latvian Defense Minister SPRUDS to discuss strengthening air defense cooperation, joint drone production, and expanding the SAFE framework for air defense donations, while First Lady Olena ZELENSKA arrived in the United States 24 March to participate in the "Fostering the Future Together" global coalition summit launched by U.S. First Lady Melania TRUMP, with the second day of the initiative set to take place at the White House 25 March. END SUMMARY.
