Ukraine Reports Russia’s Largest Drone Bombardment with 479 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine reported that Russia launched 479 drones in its largest overnight drone bombardment of the three-year war, resulting in a significant escalation of hostilities. This attack occurred as the Kremlin intensifies its summer offensive amidst ongoing peace negotiations.

The Ukrainian air force confirmed that alongside the drones, 20 missiles were also fired at various locations across Ukraine on Sunday night, targeting mainly central and western regions. Ukrainian air defenses managed to destroy 277 drones and 19 missiles mid-flight, claiming that only 10 projectiles hit their intended targets, resulting in one reported injury.

Russia’s relentless aerial assaults have become more pronounced coinciding with a renewed military push in eastern and northeastern Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the situation in some frontline areas remains very challenging.

Ukraine’s military is seeking greater assistance from Western allies, particularly in air defense systems, as it grapples with the larger Russian force. Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounding U.S. military support has raised concerns within Ukraine about the aid they can rely on.

Recently, direct peace talks held in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian representatives have not resulted in meaningful progress, apart from discussions on prisoner exchanges and the acknowledgment of significant casualties on both sides.

The conflict has prompted Russia to conduct airstrikes typically during nighttime, when drone visibility is reduced. These strikes have often targeted civilian areas, utilizing Shahed drones, which have led to over 12,000 civilian deaths, according to United Nations estimates.

Conversely, Ukraine has asserted itself by launching long-range drones that strike deep within Russian territory. On Monday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated it had downed 49 Ukrainian drones over seven regions. Reports indicated that two drones hit an electronic warfare facility in Chuvashia, over 600 kilometers from Moscow.

Alexander Gusev, governor of Russia’s Voronezh region, reported that 25 drones were intercepted there, leading to the damaging of a gas pipeline and a minor fire outbreak. Furthermore, the Ukrainian General Staff claimed operations targeted two Russian fighter jets at the Savasleyka airfield, located approximately 650 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, though details on how the attack was executed remain undisclosed.