In what Ukrainian officials are calling the largest air assault since the Russia-Ukraine war began three years ago, Russia launched a massive overnight drone and missile barrage, killing at least 30 people, injuring dozens, and causing widespread destruction across 17 regions of Ukraine.
According to Ukraine’s military, the attack involved a staggering 477 drones—including Iranian-made Shahed suicide drones—and over 60 missiles, comprising cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and other advanced munitions. Despite Ukraine’s air defence shooting down 249 drones and 38 missiles, critical civilian and government infrastructure was hit.
Civilian and Infrastructure Devastation
Major urban areas such as Kyiv, Lviv, Cherkasy, and Smila were targeted. In Smila, 12 people—including two children—were injured, and three multistorey buildings and a college suffered serious damage. Government buildings and energy facilities were also among the targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as “catastrophic” and reiterated his urgent appeal to Western nations, particularly the United States, for Patriot missile defence systems and other advanced air defence technologies.
Heroic Pilot Killed in Action
The onslaught also claimed the life of Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko, a Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot, who had successfully destroyed seven Russian targets during the attack. Ustymenko went down with his aircraft after maneuvering it away from a populated area, but failed to eject in time. President Zelenskyy posthumously awarded him the title of “Hero of Ukraine.” This marks the third F-16 loss since Ukraine received the jets in 2024.
Russia Claims Only Military Targets Hit
While the Russian Defence Ministry asserted that its strikes were aimed only at military industrial facilities and oil refineries, Ukraine reported extensive civilian damage and forced evacuations. Ukrainian officials have disputed Moscow’s claims, pointing to the severe toll on residential areas and non-military infrastructure.
Unprecedented Scale of Attack
Colonel Yuriy Ignat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, stated that the scale of this assault was unprecedented, noting that the attack reached as far west as unusual territories previously spared from direct strikes. In response, Poland scrambled its NATO fighter jets after detecting an imminent threat near its border.
President Zelenskyy shared on social media platform X that Russia had launched 1,270 drones, 114 missiles, and 1,100 glide bombs over the past week alone, calling it a clear signal that Moscow intends to escalate further.
Global Tensions Rise After Failed Peace Talks
The strike follows the recent “Spiderweb” drone counterattack by Ukraine on June 1, which reportedly destroyed 41 Russian aircraft. It also comes amid the collapse of the Istanbul peace talks, as Kyiv pushes for tighter sanctions on Russia and enhanced military support from its allies.
The Ukrainian government continues to warn that without reinforced air defence systems, such large-scale attacks may become even more frequent, further escalating a war that shows no signs of resolution.
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