LONDON -- In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia executed its largest drone attack of the ongoing war against Ukraine overnight into Wednesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that a staggering total of 741 aerial attack vehicles were deployed in this bombardment. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed via a post on Telegram that the assault involved 728 drones, a combination of attack drones and decoys, alongside 13 missiles targeting various locations within Ukraine.
The primary targets of this extensive aerial assault were the northwestern Volyn region and its city of Lutsk. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that 711 of the drones were successfully shot down or neutralized, along with seven intercepted missiles. However, impacts were reported in at least four different locations across the country, underscoring the attack's scale and severity.
President Zelenskyy emphasized that this massive assault marked the highest number of aerial targets engaged in a single day since the conflict's inception. He framed the attack as a clear indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin is disregarding U.S.-led efforts aimed at negotiating peace. The war, which commenced with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, shows no signs of abating.
Damage from the recent attacks was noted in several regions, including Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv. Zelenskyy articulated that this attack serves as further evidence of Russia's refusal to engage in meaningful peace talks, stating, “This is a telling attack that comes at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace.”
In light of the latest developments, Zelenskyy reiterated the necessity for stringent sanctions against Russia, particularly regarding its oil industry, which he claims has been financing Moscow's military endeavors for over three years. He called for secondary sanctions against those who purchase Russian oil, effectively funding the conflict. “Our partners know how to apply pressure that will compel Russia to reconsider its approach to the war,” he stated.
In a related development, Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, heightened its military readiness in response to the Russian strikes. The Armed Forces Operational Command of Poland reported on X that Polish and allied aircraft were scrambled. Initially, duty fighter pairs were dispatched, and ground-based air defense systems reached a state of heightened alert. However, they later stood down as the threat level from Russian missile strikes diminished.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that the drone and missile attack aimed at targeting the infrastructure of military airfields, asserting that all designated targets were successfully hit. In retaliation, Ukraine continued its own cross-border operations, with the Russian Defense Ministry announcing the interception of 86 Ukrainian drones overnight, including four over the Moscow region.
In response to the aerial threats, temporary flight restrictions were imposed at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow, as stated by Artem Korenyako, the press secretary for Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency. The latest barrage from Russia reflects an ongoing trend of escalating aerial assaults, with June marking a record month for the number of long-range drones and missiles launched into Ukraine.
Amid these developments, discussions around U.S. military aid to Ukraine have intensified. The Trump administration confirmed the freezing of certain shipments of air defense and precision-guided weapons intended for Ukraine, citing concerns over U.S. stockpiles. The delay includes interceptor missiles crucial for Ukraine’s Patriot surface-to-air systems, which have played a vital role in defending against Russian drone and missile strikes.
President Zelenskyy stated that he has instructed his defense officials to ramp up communications with the U.S. regarding military support, particularly focusing on air defense and other essential supplies. “This is critical aid that directly influences the lives of our people and the defense of our cities and villages,” he affirmed. Zelenskyy expressed optimism about achieving results from ongoing discussions, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts between military and political teams.
As the situation in Ukraine remains volatile, the need for international support and strategic responses continues to grow, highlighting the complexities of the ongoing conflict.
