Russia launched a new massive attack against Ukraine, and Zelensky warned about the impact of the war with Iran.

KYIV. - Russia has relaunched its spring offensive following the end of winter, with a massive drone and missile attack targeting civilian areas in Ukraine, resulting in at least four deaths and 27 injuries. The new attack by Moscow prompted an immediate reaction from President Volodymyr Zelensky, who warned about the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on his country. Russia launched nearly 400 long-range drones against Kyiv during the night, in the largest attack in weeks, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The offensive continued into Tuesday morning, when dozens of drones again targeted the capital in broad daylight. Meanwhile, Moscow fired 23 cruise missiles and seven ballistic missiles that struck at least 10 locations across the country. This is not an isolated incident; in recent days, Russian troops have made simultaneous attempts to break through defensive lines in several strategic areas, as warned by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi. "Fierce fighting took place along the entire line of contact," Syrskyi said on Monday via the Telegram messaging app, adding that Russia launched 619 attacks in four days. "The occupiers are trying to bring in new units and are preparing to continue the attacks," Syrskyi warned. Russian missiles and drones struck residential areas and energy and transportation infrastructure throughout Ukraine, according to authorities. In Poltava, the head of the regional administration, Vitali Diakivnich, reported at least two deaths and 12 injuries, including a five-year-old child who is in intensive care. In Zaporizhzhia, the regional administrator, Ivan Fedorov, announced a "massive combined attack" by Russian missiles and drones that killed one person and injured nine. A 61-year-old passenger traveling on a train in the northeastern Kharkiv region "died instantly" after his carriage was hit by a drone, according to the regional prosecutor's office. And in Kherson, Russian attacks "killed a civilian in his own home," according to local authorities. On the battlefield, the Russian military reported that it had captured a Ukrainian village in the Kharkiv region. The nighttime attack occurred at a time when Ukraine is concerned about its ability to repel Russian bombardments, as its stockpiles of U.S. air defense systems are dwindling due to the war in the Middle East. In this context, Zelensky expressed his concern on social media and called for assistance from the United States and its allies. "These figures clearly show that more protection is needed to save lives from Russian attacks," Zelensky emphasized. "It is important to continue supporting Ukraine and to ensure that all air defense agreements are implemented on time," he added. "The geopolitical situation has become more complicated due to the war against Iran, and unfortunately, this emboldens Russia. But the fundamental circumstances have not changed," the president said, referring to the impact of the war in the Middle East on the conflict. "Russia continues this war and its destabilization of Europe, supports the Iranian regime with intelligence, and therefore prolongs the war in that region, while preparing for new conflicts in the coming years. This constant threat of war around the world must stop," he concluded. Zelensky's statements come amid a pause in U.S.-mediated talks to end the conflict, which have been affected by the war in the Middle East. Since then, Ukraine has tried to exchange its technology and anti-drone capabilities for air defense missiles, which it urgently needs, and has sent military experts to Gulf countries that are facing drone attacks from Iran. In his daily televised address on Monday evening, Zelensky had warned of the possibility of a "massive" Russian attack. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and occupies large areas in the south and east of the country, while launching daily drone and missile attacks against its neighboring country. Agencies AFP and Reuters. War in Ukraine.