Russia’s most massive drone and missile barrage in Ukraine’s war history has raised dire questions about the prospects of peace in a conflict now dominated by sophisticated drone technology.
At a Glance
- Russia launched its largest single aerial attack of the war against Ukraine on the night of June 28-29, 2025.
- In total, 537 aerial weapons, including hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, targeted regions across the country.
- Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 475 of the targets, but the barrage still caused widespread damage and casualties.
- The attack came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed he was ready for a new round of peace talks.
An Unprecedented Barrage
In an unprecedented night of violence, Russia launched what Ukrainian officials have called the “most massive air strike” since the start of the full-scale invasion. The attack, which began late on Saturday, June 28, involved a staggering 537 aerial weapons—a mix of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and hundreds of one-way attack drones—launched at targets across Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian military, its air defense forces had a remarkable success rate, shooting down 249 of the weapons and electronically jamming another 226. Still, the sheer volume of the assault overwhelmed defenses in some areas, leading to devastating consequences on the ground.
A Heavy Price for Ukraine
The attack caused significant destruction and claimed multiple lives across the country. Civilian deaths were reported in the southern city of Kherson and the eastern city of Kharkiv. In Lviv, far in the west near the Polish border, a drone strike hit an industrial facility, sparking a massive fire.
The barrage also claimed the life of a celebrated Ukrainian pilot. As detailed in a report by the New York Post, Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko was killed in his F-16 fighter jet after he successfully shot down seven Russian targets. His heroic sacrifice has been honored by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
A Region on High Alert
The scale of the attack, particularly the strikes near the Polish border, put the entire region on high alert. Poland and its NATO allies scrambled their own fighter jets as a precautionary measure to protect their airspace from any stray Russian missiles or drones.
The incident highlights the ever-present risk of the conflict spilling over and drawing in neighboring countries. As reported by France 24, the attack demonstrates Russia’s continued willingness to escalate the conflict, despite the immense cost.
The massive assault came just two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow was ready for a fresh round of peace talks in Istanbul. The brutal timing of the attack has dashed any hopes for a near-term diplomatic breakthrough and has been met with deep skepticism and condemnation from Ukraine and its Western partners.
