On Sunday, February 23rd, Russia launched a record number of drones into Ukraine, further deepening the existing conflict, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and AP News. 

The month of February not only marks the third anniversary of Russia’s forceful invasion of Ukraine but also marks the highest-record number of drones sent into Ukraine by the Russian military. Since the start of the war, Russia has repeatedly used Iranian-made drones to target Ukrainian infrastructure, forcing Ukraine to develop measures to counter these attacks. The most recent wave of drone strikes aimed to weaken Ukraine’s forces and make it susceptible to Russian invasion. In this specific conflict, drone warfare has been increasingly common, which has shaped the context of the war, leading to further destruction. As the war remains ongoing, Ukraine continues to receive aid from Western countries while Russia has received support from Iran and North Korea, further deepening international tension. 

According to President Zelensky and AP News, Russia actively launched 267 drones overnight into Ukraine. To counter this, Ukraine’s air force stated that it shot down 138 drones over 13 Ukrainian territories, according to AP News. However, 113 drones could not be dismantled and vanished from all radars. The Ukrainian Air Force also mentioned that during this time, three ballistic missiles were launched, which resulted in the death of one person. In light of the recent attacks by Russia, Ukraine’s foreign minister of affairs, Andrii Sybiha, posted on social media, stating that “No one should trust Putin’s words. Look at his actions instead.” To build upon this, President Zelensky, on social media, named Russia’s most recent attack as an act of “aerial terror.” He further went on to thank those on the ground who provided aid and attempted to support the Ukrainian people who were affected by the attack: “I also thank those on the ground who saved lives and responded to the aftermath of shelling—the State Emergency Service, medics, and the National Police.” In another statement, Zelensky said, “We must do everything possible to bring peace to Ukraine. This is achievable through the unity of all partners—we need the strength of all of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of everyone who seeks lasting peace.” It is evident that as the war continues, peace and lasting sovereignty remain at the forefront of Zelensky’s agenda. 

The recent launching of drones into Ukraine further confirms that peace is not at the forefront of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s agenda. His recent actions align with an intensely problematic agenda that does not focus on peace or the protection of civilian life. The disregard for human life further confirms Russia’s intentions of destabilizing the region to take back control of Ukraine regardless of the humanitarian suffering. The existing pattern of this war will not bring a peaceful resolution but rather worsen human suffering and destruction. International involvement in this conflict is critical to ensure that Ukraine can maintain a stable sovereign territory and to hold Russia accountable for the ongoing attacks. To bring an end to the war in Ukraine, the international community must come together to foster peaceful dialog and conflict mediation. In this case, NGOs like the U.N. must unite to condemn Russia for its wartime violations. Doing this will set the precedent that violence is not normalized in international politics, ensuring that law and structure are still a powerful part of the international norm. The international community must also focus on bringing perpetrators to justice. Members of Russia’s government and military must be held responsible for their actions in front of the ICJ or another international body of justice. The ongoing violence in Ukraine is not only damaging but prevents peace from being obtained between Russia and Ukraine. 

The record level of drones sent into Ukraine marks a pivotal moment in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, further altering the nature of modern warfare. As Ukraine attempts to protect its infrastructure and independence, international involvement will become a critical factor in the months ahead, ultimately determining the military developments and political strategies used by both sides of the conflict.