Russia has unleashed its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the conflict began three years ago, according to the Ukrainian air force. On Monday, officials reported that 479 drones were launched overnight, marking a significant escalation in hostilities.
In addition to the drones, Russia fired 20 missiles of various types targeting central and western regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force claimed success in intercepting many of these threats, stating that air defense systems destroyed 277 drones and 19 missiles mid-flight. They reported that only ten drones or missiles reached their targets.
The intense bombardment kept air raid alerts active in Kyiv and most Ukrainian regions for five hours, lasting until around 5 a.m. local time. The full extent of the damage from the attacks is still being assessed.
This surge in aggression follows recent actions by Ukraine, including strikes on strategic bombers at airbases inside Russia on June 1. On the same day, Russia accused Ukraine of orchestrating bridge explosions that resulted in seven deaths and numerous injuries.
Diplomatic Efforts and Ground Advances
Despite the escalating military actions, Moscow and Kyiv have re-entered negotiations for the first time in over three years. However, beyond an agreement on exchanging war prisoners, there has been little progress towards resolving the conflict.
On the battlefield, Russia announced advancements along the eastern front-line in Ukraine, claiming additional territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the challenges, stating that in some areas, “the situation is very difficult,” though he did not provide further details.
Ukraine’s Retaliation and Impact on Russia
Ukraine is reportedly striking back with long-range drones, targeting areas deep within Russia. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that air defense units destroyed a total of 102 Ukrainian drones overnight. Nearly half were intercepted over the Bryansk region near the Ukrainian border, with others shot down over the Moscow and Leningrad regions.
The drone threats prompted Russia’s civil aviation authority to temporarily halt flights at major airports in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as airports in nine other cities, to ensure public safety. While flights in Moscow and some other cities resumed by Tuesday morning, restrictions remained in place for St. Petersburg.
The increased military activities on both sides highlight the growing tensions and the urgency for effective diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation in the region.
