Russia launched a “massive” missile and drone attack aimed at energy infrastructure across Ukraine overnight into Monday, marking the biggest air attack since the war began, Ukrainian officials said, writes CNN.

Ukrainian President vowed to retaliate against Russia for the attack during his daily address as he implored allies to lift restrictions on using Western weapons for long-range strikes inside Russian territory. Long-range strikes are instrumental in “destroying” Russian forces “exactly in the areas” from where they launch strikes on Ukraine, Volodmyr Zelensky said: “This is the optimal counter-terrorism tactic”.

The attack, which killed at least 7 people and caused power outages in several cities, marks Russia’s “most massive air attack” in more than two-and-a-half years of conflict, according to Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk.

The nationwide strikes used “more than 100 missiles of various types and around 100 Shahed drones”, Zelensky said. Ukraine shot down 102 of the missiles and 99 attack drones, Oleshchuk said.

Ukraine’s air force said it detected dozens of missiles and drones targeting almost all regions of the country, from the frontline eastern regions of Kharkiv and Dnipro to the southern port city of Odesa, as well as the capital, Kyiv.

“Russian terrorists have once again targeted energy infrastructure. At least 15 regions were targeted by a combination of drones, cruise missiles and hypersonic Kinzhal missiles”, - Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote.