Russia Launches Mass Drone Attack on Ukraine To Begin 2025

Russia began the new year by launching a mass drone attack on Ukraine during the night of December 31 through January 1, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Using 111 Shahed drones, Russia targeted several oblasts including Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad and Mykolaiv, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Russia's launch of a mass drone attack on Ukraine at the start of the new year is significant because it may escalate tensions between the warring countries. Moscow conducted attacks on both Christmas and New Year's, not halting for the holidays. Moreover, it signifies Russia's commitment to the war as it approaches its fourth year in February.

What To Know

The Ukrainian Air Force managed to largely repel Russia's launch of the barrage of Shahed drones and other UAVs on New Year's Eve, as they shot down 63 drones and 46 more failed to reach their targets. Ukraine utilized aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups to repel the drones launched from Bryansk, Orel, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Crimea.

The Ukrainian Air Force also noted that the 46 enemy drones that failed to reach their target were lost in location, and two more flew to Russia and Belarus. Wreckage from one of the Russian drones fell on a residential building in Kyiv on the morning of January 1, causing a fire to break out and the deaths of two people, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration.

The two victims of the Russian drone attack on New Year's were a married couple, neurobiologist Ihor Zyma and doctor of biological sciences Olesia Sokur, according to Ukraine's Education and Science Minister Oksen Lisovyi's post on Facebook. Both Zyma and Sokur worked at the Institute of Biology and Medicine at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

Shahed drones are Iranian-made UAVs, also referred to as "kamikaze drones," and can be fitted with thermobaric warheads. They have been used extensively in strikes on Ukraine. The use of Shahed drones has increased risks of civilian casualties for both Russia and Ukraine, and Iran has previously denied allegations that it has sent the drones to Moscow.

What People Are Saying

Zelensky wrote on Telegram: "Even on New Year's Eve, Russia was only concerned about how to hurt Ukraine. One hundred and eleven strike drones against our cities. Most of them did not reach their targets thanks to our air defense systems, our mobile fire groups and electronic warfare systems. But, unfortunately, at this time, one person is known to have died. My condolences to the family and friends. There are also victims and destruction. All services are involved. And I am grateful to everyone who, regardless of the circumstances, every night and every day on duty, at work, protects Ukraine and Ukrainians. Our army, which holds back the assaults. Rescuers, who are ready to help anywhere in Ukraine. All emergency services, our medics, each and every one whose job is to save lives. Thank you!"

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Tymofiy Mylovanov, the president of the Kyiv School of Economics, wrote: "Russia celebrates the New Year by hitting Kyiv just meters away from the Office of the President, the National Bank, and the Cabinet of Ministers. It is a very clear signal—surrender or we kill you."

Michael MacKay, a pro-Ukraine X user, wrote: "Russians ring in the New Year with a massive terrorist attack on Europe. Strike UAVs are in the air over 10 regions of Ukraine."

What Happens Next

It remains to be seen whether there are more casualties from the mass drone attack or how Ukraine will respond in the coming days.