🔥 Russia Unleashes Deadliest Aerial Strike on Ukraine Since War Began – Over 500 Drones and Missiles Launched | Massive Attack Sparks Global Alarm
In a terrifying escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia has launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, according to Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian Air Force reported a total of 537 aerial weapons fired overnight — including 477 drones and 60 missiles, making this a record-breaking airstrike in terms of intensity and scale.
The attacks blanketed multiple regions of Ukraine, including areas far from the front lines like Lviv, Kherson, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and even deep western cities such as Drohobych.
"This was the most massive airstrike we've faced since the beginning of the war — counting both drones and various types of missiles," said Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for Ukraine’s Air Force.
💥 Ukraine Fights Back: Half of Russian Weapons Neutralized
Despite the overwhelming numbers, Ukrainian defense systems managed to shoot down 249 drones and missiles, while another 226 were lost due to electronic jamming, suggesting advancements in Ukraine’s counter-drone capabilities.
Meanwhile, Poland and allied nations scrambled fighter jets to defend NATO airspace as a precaution amid the chaos near their borders, underscoring the international tension surrounding this massive escalation.
😔 Civilian Deaths Across Regions
The human toll is grim:
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Three people died in drone strikes in Kherson, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.
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A separate airstrike claimed a life in Kostyantynivka.
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In Zaporizhzhia, a 70-year-old woman was found under rubble after a missile strike.
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One man was killed in Kherson by Russian shelling.
In Lviv’s Drohobych, a drone strike sparked a massive fire at an industrial plant, knocking out power to large parts of the city.
🇺🇦 Ukrainian F-16 Shot Down, Pilot Killed
Tragically, an F-16 fighter jet provided by Ukraine's Western allies crashed during the defense operation. The aircraft had been hit while intercepting Russian drones. The pilot did not survive.
This marks a significant blow as Ukraine has recently begun deploying Western-supplied jets like the F-16, crucial in combating Russia’s growing use of advanced drone technology.
📈 Russia's Drone & Military Strategy Evolves
Russia is now using more sophisticated drones and tactical strikes that seem to bypass some traditional defenses. These attacks are part of Moscow’s evolving military strategy, aimed at grinding down Ukrainian resistance and infrastructure.
The Russian Defense Ministry also reported shooting down several Ukrainian drones over Bryansk, claiming two civilian injuries and damage to buildings.
🧨 Russia Gains Ground in Donetsk
In the ground war, Russia claimed to have captured the village of Novoukrainka in the Donetsk region. Although Moscow’s territorial gains remain slow, they come at a high cost in personnel and armored vehicles.
🔁 Intelligence Talks & Peace Rumors
In a surprising development, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Chief Sergei Naryshkin confirmed he spoke with U.S. CIA Director John Ratcliffe over the phone. He emphasized that both parties “reserved the right to call and discuss matters of interest at any time.”
This follows President Vladimir Putin’s recent call for new peace talks in Istanbul, although experts remain skeptical. Two previous rounds of negotiations there failed to yield progress.
🚫 Ukraine Pulls Out of Landmine Ban Treaty
In another significant move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree withdrawing Ukraine from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of antipersonnel landmines.
“The reality of war demands this decision,” said lawmaker Roman Kostenko, citing Russia’s widespread use of mines against both military and civilian targets.
Ukraine now joins Poland and the Baltic States, which have also recently pulled out of the pact to bolster their defenses.
📰 Conclusion
This weekend’s record-breaking aerial attack by Russia is a stark reminder that the war in Ukraine is not winding down — it’s escalating. With civilian casualties rising, military tensions at an all-time high, and talks of peace feeling more like distant hopes, the conflict appears to be entering a new and more dangerous phase.