Russia Launches Massive Airstrike On Ukraine With 537 Drones, Missiles: Ukrainian Military

(Photo : ANI)

The Russian military launched a massive airstrike on Ukraine on June 29 using 537 weapons, including 477 drones and missiles, from multiple directions, the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in a statement.

"On the night of June 29 (from 19:00 on June 28), the enemy attacked with 537 air assault assets," the Ukrainian Armed Forces said.

As per the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russia attacked Ukraine with 477 attack UAVs of the Shahed type and various decoy drones, 4 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, 7 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, 41 Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles, 5 Kalibr cruise missiles and 3 S-300 guided anti-aircraft missiles. 

The attack was, however, repelled by Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups. According to a statement from the Ukrainian military, air defenses neutralized 475 enemy aerial assault assets, with 249 destroyed by firepower.

"The air attack was countered by aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. According to preliminary data, as of 08:30, air defenses neutralized 475 enemy air assault assets, with 249 destroyed by firepower and 226 locationally lost," Ukrainian Armed Forces said in a statement.

Confirming the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that there was an airstrike alert across Ukraine for almost the entire night and that the Russians were targeting everything that sustains life.

“Almost all night long, air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine — 477 drones were in our skies, most of them Russian-Iranian Shaheds, along with 60 missiles of various types. The Russians were targeting everything that sustains life. A residential building in Smila was also hit, and a child was injured. Emergency services are responding wherever they’re needed,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X. 

Almost all night long, air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine — 477 drones were in our skies, most of them Russian-Iranian Shaheds, along with 60 missiles of various types. The Russians were targeting everything that sustains life. A residential building in Smila was also hit,… pic.twitter.com/1ExZhYAMBg

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 29, 2025

Zelenskyy said that a F-16 pilot, Maksym Ustymenko, died while repelling the Russian aerial attack. 

“Tragically, while repelling the attack, our F-16 pilot, Maksym Ustymenko, died. Today, he destroyed 7 aerial targets. My condolences to his family and brothers-in-arms. I have instructed that all the circumstances of his death be investigated. Ukrainian aviation is heroically protecting our skies. I am grateful to everyone who is defending Ukraine,” he said. 

Zelenskyy said the Russia-Ukraine war must be stopped and pressure must be put on the aggressor.

“Moscow will not stop as long as it has the capability to launch massive strikes. Just this week alone, there have been more than 114 missiles, over 1,270 drones, and nearly 1,100 glide bombs. Putin long ago decided he would keep waging war, despite the world's calls for peace. This war must be brought to an end — pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection,” he said. 

Zelensky stressed the need to enhance Ukraine's air defense systems to protect against missiles, drones and other threats from Russia and expressed readiness to purchase American technology.

“Protection from ballistic and other missiles, from drones, and from terror. Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense — the thing that best protects lives. These are American systems, which we are ready to buy. We count on leadership, political will, and the support of the United States, Europe, and all our partners. I thank everyone who is helping,” he said. 

The Kremlin has long insisted its campaign will continue until it holds all of the eastern Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, as per CNN.

(With ANI inputs)