Russia Unleashes Largest Aerial Assault of War as Ukraine Faces Growing Pressure on Multiple Fronts
Russia has launched its largest aerial barrage against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, deploying a staggering 537 airborne weapons in a single night.
Ukrainian officials confirmed on Sunday that 477 drones and decoys, along with 60 missiles, were fired across the country.
While nearly half were intercepted or jammed, many reached their targets — inflicting fresh civilian casualties and further damaging infrastructure.
The attack, described by Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat as “the most massive airstrike” to date, hit multiple regions including western areas long considered relatively safe.
In Drohobych, close to the city of Lviv, one strike caused a huge industria blaze which impacted the power grid. In the cities of Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Kharkiv, the barrage cause three fatalities.. Shelling and hits elsewhere also left a 70-year-old woman dead.
Russia Kills Ukrainian Pilot
Ukraine also confirmed the crash of a newly operational F-16 fighter jet while it was attempting to defend against the attack. The pilot was killed. The aircraft — part of Western efforts to bolster Ukraine’s air capabilities — was reportedly damaged after successfully intercepting incoming targets.
The barrage was launched amid Russia’s claims to some negligible territorial gains, including Donetsk’s Novoukrainka village. Any movement on the 1,000-kilometre frontline has been slow, but Moscow seems determined to push onward.
The Kremlin’s drone tactics, increasingly effective, reflect a shift in both technological capacity and battlefield strategy.
Putin: We Still Want to Talk
Despite its ongoing aggression, Russia claims it remains open to fresh peace talks. President Vladimir Putin publicly noted that he would be happy for ceasefire negotiations to continue in Istanbul — the same city where two other fruitless rounds of diplomacy recently unfolded.
Many Ukrainian officials are infuriated by these perceived empty theatrics on the world stage, given the Kremlin’s refusal to back down militarily.
As this turmoil grinds on, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially withdrawn Ukraine from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which prohibits signees from using antipersonnel land mines in war. Roman Kostenko, a Ukrainian member of parliament, said the change was made in light of Russia’s own use of mines against Ukrainians, including civilians.
“This is a step that the reality of war has long demanded,” he said.
About the Author:
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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