Russia Launches Largest 500 Drone Attack of Ukraine War/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russia unleashed its largest drone strike of the war, launching 479 drones and 20 missiles across Ukraine overnight, primarily targeting central and western regions. Ukraine claimed to intercept most projectiles, with minimal damage reported. Amid heavy battlefield fighting and peace talks, both sides also exchanged prisoners of war in a rare act of cooperation.
Russia’s Biggest Drone Attack on Ukraine: Quick Looks
- Scale of Attack: 479 drones, 20 missiles launched
- Intercepted: Ukraine claims to down 277 drones, 19 missiles
- Injuries: One person reported injured, per Ukrainian officials
- Target Areas: Focus on central and western Ukraine
- Ukraine Counter: Ukrainian drones hit deep inside Russian territory
- Peace Talks: No major breakthroughs, but POW swap continues
- Zelenskyy Warning: “Situation is very difficult” in frontline zones
- Drone Strike Sites: Russia reports 49 drones downed in own territory
- Civilian Toll: UN says 12,000+ Ukrainian civilians killed by Russian attacks
- Western Aid Uncertainty: Kyiv still awaits more air defense systems
Deep Look: Russia Launches War’s Largest Drone Attack on Ukraine as Tensions Escalate
Kyiv, Ukraine
In what Ukrainian officials are calling the largest drone bombardment since the war began, Russia launched 479 drones and 20 missiles across multiple regions of Ukraine overnight, signaling a major intensification in the Kremlin’s ongoing summer offensive.
The attack — described by Ukraine’s air force as a coordinated overnight aerial assault — mainly targeted central and western parts of the country. Though most drones and missiles were intercepted, the sheer volume of firepower has drawn global attention and renewed concern over Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
Ukraine’s Defense Response
According to Ukraine’s air force, 277 drones and 19 missiles were intercepted. Officials stated only 10 reached their targets, with one person injured. These claims could not be independently verified.
Ukraine continues to struggle with air defense shortages, especially as uncertainty looms over future U.S. and European military support. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted the situation on parts of the 1,000-kilometer front line is “very difficult,” particularly in the east and northeast.
Still, Ukraine has managed notable counterattacks, including a sophisticated drone strike on Russian airfields, targeting aircraft hundreds of kilometers inside Russian territory.
Russia’s Offensive Intensifies
Monday’s assault marks a new phase in Russia’s efforts to reclaim battlefield momentum. Ukrainian General Staff reported that two Russian fighter jets were struck at the Savasleyka airfield in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, some 650 km from the border. Russian war bloggers claimed no serious damage occurred.
Moscow’s defense ministry said the airstrikes are in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on bases housing nuclear-capable bombers. A weekend strike on Dubno air base in western Ukraine was cited as one such reprisal.
Prisoner Exchange Offers Rare Cooperation
In contrast to the battlefield aggression, Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner swap on Monday. Though specific numbers weren’t released, President Zelenskyy said the exchange included wounded and young soldiers, and that the process would continue over several days.
But complications remain. Russia accused Ukraine of refusing to collect the bodies of its fallen troops. Zelenskyy fired back, claiming that Moscow had failed to send over identification data for more than 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers whose remains are in Russian-controlled areas.
Despite tensions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the swaps will proceed, although logistics are still being negotiated.
Long-Range Drones and Retaliation Strikes
Ukraine has stepped up long-range drone production, reportedly capable of reaching 600 km or more into Russian territory. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed 49 Ukrainian drones were shot down over seven regions overnight.
In one significant hit, two Ukrainian drones struck an electronic warfare plant in Russia’s Chuvashia region, over 600 km east of Moscow. In the Voronezh region, local officials reported that 25 drones damaged a gas pipeline, igniting a fire.
These deep incursions highlight Ukraine’s evolving drone warfare capabilities, increasingly targeting critical Russian infrastructure far from the front lines.
Civilian Casualties and Human Cost
While both sides claim to target military assets, Russia has frequently struck civilian areas using Iranian-made Shahed drones. According to the United Nations, over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have died since the war began — a number likely underreported due to ongoing hostilities and blocked access.
Key Stats: Russia-Ukraine Conflict Update (as of June 9, 2025)
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drones Launched by Russia | 479 |
| Missiles Fired | 20 |
| Interceptions (Ukraine) | 277 drones, 19 missiles |
| Injuries (Ukraine) | 1 reported |
| Drones Downed in Russia | 49 (per Russia’s MOD) |
| Ukrainian Drone Strikes | Deep hits in Chuvashia, Voronezh |
| Prisoner Exchange | Ongoing; details undisclosed |
| UN Civilian Death Toll | Over 12,000 |
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