New Delhi: Ukraine awakened on July 9 to a sky stuffed with metallic and fireplace as Russia unleashed its greatest aerial assault for the reason that warfare started. The Ukrainian Air Power mentioned it was the “largest mixed drone and missile assault” seen in additional than three years of relentless battle.
Kyiv claimed to have shot down a lot of the drones, however the scale surprised even hardened commanders.
Out of 728 kamikaze drones, Ukrainian air protection techniques intercepted 718. That also left 10 to strike. The barrage got here with 13 missiles trailing behind, focusing on infrastructure deep inside Ukrainian territory.
Russia launched an air assault in a single day with 741 aerial weapons – together with 728 drones, 7 Iskander-Okay cruise missiles, and 6 Kinzhal missiles. Our defenses neutralized 718 threats, with dozens intercepted by Ukrainian interceptor drones and cell fireplace teams.
The primary strike hit… pic.twitter.com/6yvtvBE5mP
— MFA of Ukraine (@MFA_Ukraine) July 9, 2025
Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine in a single day with 741 targets together with 728 drones and 13 missiles.
Most had been shot down. Lutsk was hit hardest.
Strikes additionally affected Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and different areas.
Cleanup and restoration are ongoing.SES Ukraine pic.twitter.com/oJa12xSObp
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 9, 2025
Lutsk Mayor Igor Polishchuk mentioned town, although hit, reported no accidents or deaths. It was a miracle, some mentioned. However the strike was a present of energy along with the meant harm.
The earlier report? 550 drones and missiles. That was final week. This week, Russia set a brand new bar. And the timing was not misplaced on anybody.
Hours earlier than the assault, US President Donald Trump reversed course and vowed to extend weapons deliveries to Ukraine. At a marketing campaign occasion, he accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of spreading “bulls**t” about Ukraine and promised “an actual response”.
It didn’t take lengthy for Moscow to reply.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video exhibiting the wreckage, shattered buildings, twisted metallic and smoke curling into an overcast sky.
He didn’t maintain again.
“It is a telling assault, and it comes exactly at a time when so many efforts have been made to attain peace, to ascertain a ceasefire and but solely Russia continues to rebuff all of them,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He referred to as on Ukraine’s allies to step up and strike again, not with power, however with strain.
“Our companions know learn how to apply strain in a means that can power Russia to consider ending the warfare, not launching new strikes,” he added.
A brand new huge Russian assault on our cities. It was the very best variety of aerial targets in a single day: 741 targets – 728 drones of varied varieties, together with over 300 shaheds, and 13 missiles – Kinzhals and Iskanders. Many of the targets had been shot down. Our interceptor drones… pic.twitter.com/Lxa5TdYVXT
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@ZelenskyyUa) July 9, 2025
The Kremlin has not formally commented on the dimensions of the assault. However analysts say the message was unmistakable – Russia isn’t able to cease. And it is able to overwhelm Ukraine’s skies – one drone at a time.