Russia launched the most extensive aerial bombardment of Ukraine since its full-scale invasion, according to Kyiv, signalling a sharp escalation in Moscow’s campaign and further undermining fragile hopes for a negotiated resolution to the war now in its fourth year.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia had fired a staggering 537 aerial weapons in a single overnight barrage that began late on Saturday, including 477 explosive drones and decoys and 60 missiles of various types. Ukrainian air defences intercepted 211 drones and 38 missiles.

The scale of the assault marks a dramatic intensification in Russia’s strategy. Ukrainian officials say Moscow aims to systematically degrade the country’s limited air defence network and exhaust its western-supplied arsenal.