Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since War Began, Dozens Dead

In one of the most intense escalations since the start of the full-scale war in 2022, Russia has launched a massive, coordinated aerial assault on Ukraine—unleashing hundreds of drones and missiles across nearly every region of the country. Ukrainian officials and global defense analysts are calling it one of the biggest attacks of the war.

💥 400+ Drones and 40 Missiles Rain Down on Ukraine

Over the span of just a few nights, Russia fired more than 400 Shahed drones and at least 40 long-range missiles, striking densely populated urban centers including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odessa, and Dnipro. The attacks caused widespread destruction, cut power to multiple cities, and left dozens of civilians dead.

On June 17, Ukraine experienced its worst single-night air raid since the beginning of the invasion, with 368 drones and missiles launched within hours. In another strike just days later, nine people were killed, and more than 30 were injured, according to Ukraine’s emergency services.

🏙️ Civilian Infrastructure in Ruins

The scale and brutality of the attacks stunned both local residents and international observers. Among the targets:

Residential buildings and apartment blocks

Hospitals and emergency centers

Subway stations and schools

Electricity substations and telecom infrastructure

The Carrizo Plain-like blackout zones in parts of Kyiv and Lviv forced thousands of residents to flee to underground shelters during multiple nights of bombardment.

🛡 Ukraine Fights Back – But Overwhelmed

Despite Ukraine’s air defense systems managing to shoot down a majority of the drones and missiles—with reported interception rates between 80% and 90%—the sheer volume overwhelmed even advanced defenses like the U.S.-supplied Patriot systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed urgent calls for more Western air-defense support, warning that “our skies are becoming harder to protect with every passing day.”

⚠️ Why This Escalation Is Alarming

This wave of attacks marks a strategic shift in Russia’s military tactics, focusing on:

Maximum psychological impact through nightly terror campaigns

Widespread infrastructure degradation across non-frontline regions

Pressure on Ukrainian morale and Western resolve

Military analysts believe Russia is testing Ukraine’s endurance and the limits of NATO’s logistical support.

🌍 The International Response

The U.S., UK, and EU condemned the attacks and pledged accelerated delivery of air defense systems and munitions.

NATO intelligence reports suggest Russia is increasing collaboration with Iran and North Korea, using imported drones and munitions to sustain its air campaigns.