New Delhi, July 9 -- Russia launched a record 728 drones at Ukraine on Wednesday, marking the latest in a series of escalating air assaults.

The disastrous attack happened hours after US President Donald Trump pledged to send more defensive weapons to Kyiv and directed unusually sharp criticism at Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While Kyiv's military managed to down nearly all the drones, some of the six hypersonic missiles launched by Russia caused unspecified damage.

The widespread attacks resulted in one person dying from drone debris in western Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Closer to the battle zone, eight people were reported killed by drones and guided bombs in the Ukrainian-held part of the frontline Donetsk region.

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