Escalation of Attacks: Russia Launches Record Drone and Missile Strikes on Ukraine
Russia has launched an unprecedented wave of aerial attacks against Ukraine, firing a record 728 Shahed and decoy drones, along with 13 cruise and ballistic missiles, during the night. This marks one of the most intense assaults in the ongoing conflict, which has now entered its fourth year. The Ukrainian air force reported these figures on Wednesday, highlighting the growing intensity of Russian strikes.
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The city of Lutsk, located in western Ukraine near the borders of Poland and Belarus, was among the hardest hit. However, ten other regions across the country also experienced attacks. Lutsk is strategically significant due to its military airfields, where cargo planes and fighter jets frequently operate. These areas serve as critical logistical hubs for receiving and distributing foreign military aid, making them prime targets for Russian long-range attacks aimed at disrupting supply lines.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that all designated targets were successfully hit, including Ukrainian air bases. This attack follows a pattern of large-scale aerial assaults, with Russia increasingly using decoy drones to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. The previous largest drone strike occurred late on July 4, with another major assault just days before that.
In addition to the aerial attacks, Russia has intensified its ground operations, launching a new offensive to break through parts of the 1,000-kilometer front line. Ukrainian forces, already stretched thin, face mounting pressure from the larger Russian military.
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International Reactions and Diplomatic Tensions
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has not changed his stance on ceasefire and peace demands since Trump took office. Trump emphasized the need for increased U.S. military support to Ukraine, even as Washington recently paused critical weapons deliveries due to uncertainty over the administration’s commitment to Kyiv.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Trump’s communication style, noting that while it is “tough,” Moscow hopes to continue dialogue with the U.S. and work toward repairing strained bilateral relations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that the attack on western Ukraine was a deliberate message, especially as U.S.-led peace efforts face challenges. He urged international partners to impose stricter sanctions on Russian oil and those financing the war. Zelenskyy also called for global action to achieve peace, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility.
During a visit to Italy, Zelenskyy was set to meet Pope Leo XIV, further highlighting the diplomatic efforts to gain international support.
Impact and Response
Two people were injured in the Kyiv region during the overnight attacks, with emergency crews working to assess the damage. In response to the threat, Poland scrambled its fighter jets and placed its armed forces on the highest level of alert. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Russia could pose a credible security threat to the European Union by the end of the decade, urging increased defense production in Europe and Ukraine within five years.
Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 296 drones and seven missiles during the attack, while 415 more drones were lost due to radar interference or jamming. Zelenskyy praised the effectiveness of Ukraine’s interceptor drones, developed specifically to counter Russian Shahed drones. He noted that domestic production of anti-aircraft drones is being expanded in collaboration with Western countries.
Drones as a Strategic Weapon
Western analysts suggest that Russia is ramping up its drone manufacturing capabilities, potentially enabling it to launch 1,000 drones per night against Ukraine. According to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, the role of tactical drones in combat operations is expanding, and Russia is increasing its nighttime long-range strike packages.
While Ukraine has also developed its own offensive drone capabilities, conducting long-range strikes into Russia, the conflict continues to escalate. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses downed 86 Ukrainian drones over six regions, including the Moscow area. Flights were temporarily suspended at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport and Kaluga’s international airport.
In the Kursk region, a Ukrainian drone attack killed three people and wounded seven others, including a 5-year-old boy, according to local officials. These attacks underscore the growing complexity and danger of the conflict, with both sides relying heavily on drone technology to gain strategic advantages.
