KYIV – Ukraine came under a massive aerial assault overnight, as Russia launched 26 cruise missiles and 597 attack drones—the latest in a strategic escalation of its long‑range bombardments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared on X (formerly Twitter).
The barrage affected regions across Ukraine—from the northeast in Kharkiv and Sumy to the western cities including Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi. According to Ukrainian air defences, they successfully intercepted 25 missiles and 319 drones, while 258 decoy drones were jammed electronically.
Casualties & Damage
- At least two civilians were killed in Chernivtsi due to falling drone debris, with 20 more injured across multiple regions.
- In Lviv, 46 homes, a university, courts, and about 20 businesses were damaged, and several people—including an 11-year-old—were injured.
- Other regions impacted include Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv, where missile and drone debris caused further injuries and fatalities.
Zelenskyy’s Appeal & Strategy
President Zelenskyy urged Western allies to intensify support through enhanced air defence systems and stricter sanctions against entities aiding Russia’s drone production or benefiting from oil revenues. “This war can only be stopped through strength,” he emphasized.
Ukraine is increasingly relying on interceptor drones, which are significantly cheaper than conventional air defence systems, to counter the drone onslaught.
International Context
This assault is the fourth major attack this month, continuing a broader trend of escalation. June marked the deadliest single month since the war began, with 232 civilians killed and over 1,300 wounded.
Russia claims the strikes targeted Ukrainian defence industries and military airfields, while NATO scrambled fighter aircraft in Poland in response to threats near its border.
