Russia war latest: Putin begins his spring offensive as Moscow fires 948 drones in 24 hours

Analysts and Ukrainian generals say rising Russian attacks show Putin's spring offensive has begun
Russia launched the largest aerial attack on Ukraine over a 24-hour period since the war began on Tuesday, pounding Ukrainian cities with 948 drones.

Ukraine's military said Russia fired 392 drones and dozens of missiles overnight before following that up with an unusual daytime drone onslaught.

At least six people were killed in the attacks targeting locations across Ukraine, officials said.

Volodymyr Zelensky said the scale of the strikes showed Russia's Vladimir Putin "has no real intention of ending this war" and called for the international community to exert stronger pressure on Moscow .

Alongside its aerial bombardment, Russia has been increasing the intensity of its ground assaults amid improving weather conditions.

Ukrainian generals and analysts say an expected spring-summer Russian offensive has begun but is yet to make meaningful territorial gains.

And Moldova 's parliament has approved a 60-day state of emergency over its energy supplies after Russian attacks severed a key power line that passes through Ukrainian territory.

War in Iran emboldening Russia, says Zelensky
The conflict in the Middle East has led to strengthening Russia which is working to prolong the war in the region, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

“The geopolitical situation has become more complicated due to the war against Iran, and unfortunately, this is emboldening Russia.

But the fundamental circumstances have not changed,” he said, speaking in his address.

Zelensky said Russia “continues this war and its destabilisation of Europe, supports the Iranian regime with intelligence, and thereby prolongs the war in that region, while also preparing for new conflicts in the coming years”.

“This threat of constant war across the map must be stopped,” he said.

Watch: Zelensky says Russia's 'extensive' attacks hit 17th century world heritage site
Zelensky says only more pressure can persuade Russia to end war
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine can be ended only with additional pressure and significant losses, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said.

His remarks came after Russia carried out its largest single-day aerial assault of the war so far, firing 948 drones and dozens of missiles in 24 hours.

The attacks killed at least six people and injured 46, according to Ukrainian officials.

“The scale of this attack clearly shows that Russia has no real intention of ending this war," Zelensky said in his nightly address.

“Without additional and strong pressure on Russia, without tangible losses for them there in Moscow, no desire will develop to move away from the war or return to peace,” he said.

Russia downs 389 Ukrainian drones overnight
Russian ⁠air ‌defence units ‌have downed 389 ‌Ukrainian ⁠drones overnight, including over ‌the ​Moscow region, officials at the Russian defence ministry said.

Watch: Ukrainian firefighters tackle blazes after deadly Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia
Frontline situation is 'tense but not critical', says Ukrainian soldier
A Ukrainian soldier fighting near the city of Lyman in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region has said Russian forces have intensified assaults in recent days but failed to achieve a breakthrough, despite increasing bombardments and repeated ground attacks.

Lyman’s complete capture is one of Russian president Vladimir Putin's main strategic goals.

Russian troops had earlier sought to isolate Lyman by targeting logistics routes before escalating their offensive, according to the soldier, who gave only his call sign King, in keeping with the rules of the Ukrainian military.

Ukrainian units repelled initial assaults, destroying advancing Russian columns and inflicting significant losses in terms of both armoured vehicles and personnel, he said.

In response, Russian forces have increased airstrikes on the town, including the use of powerful glide bombs.“The situation is tense, but not critical," King said.

Fire reported at Russia's Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga after drone attack
A fire has broken out at Russia's ⁠Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga following a drone ⁠attack, the governor ​of Leningrad ⁠region ‌said on Telegram this morning.

Alexander Drozdenko said the fire was being tackled and that 33 drones have been shot down over the north-western region of Russia.

He said ‌no one ​has ‌been reported injured due ⁠to ⁠the attacks.

Myanmar benefitting from Russia’s war strategy and weapons – report
Myanmar’s military is using Russian intelligence and imported weapons to gain an edge on the battlefield against rebel forces, according to experts monitoring the growing ties between Yangon and Moscow.

Russian weapons in the hands of Myanmar’s military have been used to “devastating effect” against not just rebel targets but also civilian sites like schools and hospitals, said Ian Storey, senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Moscow is also offering airpower and battlefield tactics it has gained from its war against Ukrainian forces.

“The death toll has been appalling,” he told Al Jazeera.

The Myanmar generals have also adopted Russia’s “meat assaults” tactics and are reportedly throwing waves of infantry at their enemy’s defensive lines without consideration for the casualties, he said.

“The junta has copied Russian tactics, using conscripted soldiers in human wave attacks against rebel forces,” Storey said.

Moldova backs energy state of emergency after Russian attack cuts power
Moldova's parliament approved the introduction of a 60-day energy state of emergency after Russian attacks in neighbouring Ukraine put out of action a power line providing the bulk of the country's energy needs.

Deputies approved the measure, introduced by Moldova's pro-European government, with 72 votes in favour in the 101-member chamber yesterday.

The opposition Socialists and Communists refused to support the measure.

The Issacea-Vulcanesti line carries power from Romania to Moldova, passing through 40km (25 miles) of Ukrainian territory.

Russia attacks Ukraine with more than 900 drones in one of its largest air attacks
Russia carried out a rare day-long aerial attack on Ukraine yesterday, officials said, firing 948 drones over a 24-hour period and killing at least seven people.

The assault began in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with Ukraine's air force confirming at least 392 drones were fired from Russia overnight.

Russia also launched 23 cruise missiles and seven ballistic missiles at Ukraine during the night, hitting at least 10 locations across the country, according to Ukraine’s air force.

The major onslaught was followed by another 556 drones in the daytime, a pattern rarely seen during the four-year war, and making it possibly the largest aerial attack in a single day so far.

Russia launched swarms of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, hitting at least seven cities, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said on X.

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