In the early hours of June 29, 2025, Ukraine experienced what its authorities described as one of the largest-scale aerial attacks since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Russia unleashed a relentless barrage of hundreds of drones, cruise, and ballistic missiles across western, southern, and central regions of the country, leaving a trail of damage and injuries.
The Scale of the Onslaught
Ukrainian officials reported that Russia deployed an unprecedented number of aerial weapons, including 477 drones and 60 missiles of various types. Air raid sirens blared across the nation, forcing families into shelters, particularly in cities like Kyiv, where explosions and machine-gun fire echoed through the night. The sheer volume of the attack underscores a significant escalation in Moscow's strategy, which has seen an intensified use of drones and missiles in recent weeks.
Casualties and Devastation
The widespread assault resulted in multiple casualties, with at least six people wounded, including a child in the central Cherkasy region. Regional governors reported explosions in key areas such as Lviv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy. The attacks caused considerable damage to civilian infrastructure, including three multi-story buildings and a college, as well as industrial facilities in the Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Images released by authorities depicted charred walls and broken windows, with rescuers working tirelessly to evacuate residents. A significant fire also erupted at an industrial facility in Drohobych, Lviv region, leading to power outages.
Ukrainian Defense and Tragic Loss
Despite the overwhelming assault, Ukrainian forces demonstrated remarkable resilience. They managed to destroy 211 drones and 38 missiles, employing all available means of defense. However, the intensity of the attack came at a heavy cost. Ukraine's military confirmed the tragic loss of an F-16 fighter pilot, Maksym Ustymenko, who died while repelling the attack. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that the pilot bravely used all onboard weapons, downing seven air targets before his aircraft was damaged. He managed to steer the jet away from a populated area but did not have time to eject. This marks the third F-16 fighter jet Ukraine has lost since receiving them last year.
Zelenskyy's Plea for Support
In the aftermath of the attack, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his urgent call for more robust air defense systems from Washington and Western allies. He emphasized that "Moscow will not stop as long as it can launch massive strikes," noting that Russia had launched over 1,100 glide bombs, 1,270 drones, and 114 missiles in the past week alone. Ukraine is prepared to purchase American air defense systems and looks to the leadership and support of its international partners to protect its skies and its people.
The relentless nature of this latest attack further diminishes hopes for a swift, peaceful resolution to the three-year-long conflict, highlighting the critical need for continued international support for Ukraine's defense capabilities.