On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted a decision to withdraw Ukraine from an international agreement that prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines.

The Ottawa Convention of 1997 prohibits the use, manufacturing, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, citing the severe danger they pose to civilians after conflicts conclude. Although Ukraine was among approximately 160 countries committed to the treaty, Russia was not.

“Russia has never been part of this convention and employs anti-personnel mines with extreme cynicism,” Zelenskyy stated. “And this is not limited to their current war against Ukraine. It is characteristic of Russian aggressors to use every means available to destroy lives.”

Zelenskyy’s announcement is not the final step in formally withdrawing from the treaty, however, as Ukraine’s parliament must now vote on the issue.

A Ukrainian doctor treats a soldier injured by shrapnel from Russian explosive drones at a medical stabilisation centre of the 3rd Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. (FLORENT VERGNES/AFP)

The attack was “the most massive airstrike” against Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022, Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for Ukraine’s air force, told the Associated Press, taking into account both drones and various types of missiles.

Several regions were targeted, including western Ukraine, located far from the front line.

Poland and allied countries scrambled aircraft to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, Poland’s air force said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on. ((Photo by SERGEI ILYIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images))

One person was killed in a drone strike in the Kherson region, according to Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin, while another died when a drone hit a car in the Kharkiv region, its Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. Six people were wounded in Cherkasy, including a child, regional Gov. Ihor Taburets said.

Ukraine’s air force said one of its F-16 warplanes supplied by the West crashed after sustaining damage as it was shooting down air targets, killing the pilot.