KYIV, Ukraine (AP) 鈥 Ukraine said it struck a Russian airbase on Saturday, while Russia continued to pound Ukraine with hundreds of drones overnight as part of a stepped-up bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the more than 3-year-old war.
Ukraine鈥檚 military General Staff said Saturday that Ukrainian forces had struck the Borisoglebsk airbase in Russia鈥檚 Voronezh region, describing it as the 鈥渉ome base鈥 of Russia鈥檚 Su-34, Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter jets.
Writing on Facebook, the General Staff said it hit a depot containing glide bombs, a training aircraft and 鈥減ossibly other aircraft."
Russian officials did not immediately comment on the attack.
Such attacks on Russian airbases aim to dent Russia鈥檚 military capability and demonstrate Ukraine鈥檚 capability to hit high-value targets in Russia. Last month, Ukraine said it destroyed more than 40 Russian planes stationed at several airfields deep in Russia鈥檚 territory in a surprise drone attack.
Russia fired 322 drones and decoys into Ukraine overnight into Saturday, Ukraine鈥檚 air force said. Of these, 157 were shot down and 135 were lost, likely having been electronically jammed.
According to the air force, Ukraine鈥檚 western Khmelnytskyi region was the main target of the attack. Regional Gov. Serhii Tyurin said Saturday that no damage, injuries or deaths had been reported.
Russia has been stepping up its long-range attacks on Ukraine. Waves of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv overnight into Friday in the since began. On Saturday, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the number of people killed in the assault had increased to two. A further 26 people were wounded.
The fresh wave of attacks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that he had a 鈥渧ery important and productive鈥 phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The two leaders discussed how Ukrainian air defenses might be strengthened, possible joint weapons production between the U.S. and Ukraine, and broader with Russia, according to a statement by Zelenksyy.
Asked Friday night by reporters about the call, Trump said, 鈥淲e had a very good call, I think.鈥
When asked about finding a way to end the fighting, Trump said: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know. I can鈥檛 tell you whether or not that鈥檚 going to happen.鈥
The U.S. has to Ukraine, including crucial air defense missiles. Ukraine鈥檚 main European backers they can help pick up the slack. Zelenskyy says plans are afoot to build up Ukraine鈥檚 domestic arms industry, but .
Russia鈥檚 Defense Ministry said it shot down 94 Ukrainian drones overnight into Saturday, along with 12 further drones on Saturday morning. No casualties were reported.
