Russia Unleashes Massive Drone and Missile Assault on Kyiv
Russia marks the largest aerial assault since the invasion began over three years ago
Russia launched an unprecedented barrage of 550 drones and missiles on Ukraine overnight, marking the largest aerial assault since the invasion began over three years ago. The capital, Kyiv, bore the brunt of the attack, with explosions lighting up the night sky and air raid sirens echoing through the city. The seven-hour onslaught left one person dead, at least 26 injured, including a child, and caused widespread destruction across multiple districts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as “cynical” and a “harsh, sleepless night,” with debris blocking streets and emergency vehicles struggling to respond. Five ambulances were damaged, and over 300 tons of rubble were cleared by rescue teams. A 23-year-old Kyiv wedding photographer, Alya Shahlai, recounted the terror of seeking refuge in a basement shelter: “It was so loud, staying home would have been suicidal.”
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the majority of the 550 projectiles were Shahed drones, accompanied by 11 missiles. Ukrainian defenses downed 270 targets, including two cruise missiles, while 208 others were likely jammed. Despite these efforts, Russia struck eight locations with nine missiles and 63 drones, with debris from intercepted drones damaging at least 33 sites across Kyiv and the Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions.
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Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the strikes targeted Ukrainian drone and military equipment factories, part of an escalating campaign to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses. This follows a record-breaking 5,438 drone attacks in June alone, alongside over 330 missiles, including nearly 80 ballistic ones. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it “one of the worst” nights for Kyiv, while Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko labeled it a “deliberate act of terror,” with families fleeing to metro stations and basements.
Hours after the attack, Zelenskyy held a “very important and productive” call with U.S. President Donald Trump, discussing stronger air defenses, joint weapons production, and U.S.-led efforts to end the war. Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. for its support and congratulated Trump on Independence Day. The White House has not commented on the call. This discussion came as the U.S. has paused some military aid, including critical air defense missiles, prompting Ukraine’s European allies to explore ways to fill the gap.
The assault coincided with a call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Trump expressed disappointment, stating Putin showed no interest in halting the conflict. Putin’s adviser, Yuri Ushakov, reiterated Moscow’s intent to achieve its goals in Ukraine, including addressing the “root causes” of the war. Russia’s invasion, launched on February 24, 2022, continues to escalate, with no clear progress in peace talks despite recent prisoner swaps.
As Russia intensifies its long-range attacks and ground offensives along the 1,000-kilometer front line, Ukraine faces mounting pressure. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to bolster domestic arms production, though scaling up will take time. The war, now in its fourth year, shows no signs of abating, leaving civilians to endure the devastating consequences.
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