Massive Attack by Russia: 60 Missiles and Nearly 500 Drones Hit Ukraine
On the night of June 29, Russian occupation forces carried out a large-scale air raid on Ukraine, utilizing a record number of munitions to achieve maximum destructive effect. According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, from 19:00 on June 28 until the morning of the next day, the enemy launched a total of 537 air attack means on Ukrainian territory. This was one of the largest series of attacks during the entire war and caused significant concern at the national level. The main strike was a massive drone and missile attack, which the enemy had been preparing for a long time. Enemy forces employed a variety of means for "masking" and sniper raids: notably, 477 Shahed combat drones and other decoys of various modifications, operating from the directions of Kursk, Shatalovo, Orel, Bryansk, Millerovo—all territories of the Russian Federation—as well as from the occupied Crimean Peninsula, particularly from the Chaud area. It is noted that over 250 of these drones were specifically "Shaheds," which are traditionally used for terrorist attacks and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. In addition to drones, the enemy launched several types of missiles of different classifications and origins. The enemy's missile systems used four Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ballistic missiles from the airspace over the Tambov region, as well as seven Iskander-M and KN-23 ballistic missiles from the Voronezh region and occupied Crimea. Subsequently, 41 X-101 cruise missiles and Iskander-K missiles were launched from the Saratov, Kursk, and Bryansk regions. Additionally, five Kalibr cruise missiles were launched from the Black Sea, and air defense guided missiles, specifically S-300s, were used from the Kursk region. Throughout the entire attack, Ukrainian defense forces—including aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare (EW) units, and drone systems—displayed high organization and the ability to repel attacks. Preliminary data as of 08:30 in the morning indicates that Ukrainian air defense systems neutralized approximately 475 enemy air attack means. Specifically, 249 drones and missiles were shot down during the attack, while 226 were destroyed as a result of location-based losses or suppressed by EW systems. Overall, during the attack window, Ukrainian military units recorded flights and destruction of enemy assets in at least six locations. Furthermore, fragments of destroyed objects indicated that the strikes affected at least eight different areas, demonstrating the scale and targeted nature of the Russian assault. Ukraine continues to respond persistently to the increasing number of enemy assets in the sky, utilizing modern air defense systems and tactical capabilities to destroy and localize threats. This powerful attack, involving 60 missiles and nearly 500 drones, is yet another demonstrative proof that Russia aims to sow panic and destroy Ukrainian infrastructure. However, our defense forces remain unbroken and are ready to confront any new challenges.