Russia Launches Largest Aerial Attack of War, Damages Ukrainian Cities

Strategic Insights -

Russia's military carried out the largest-scale missile and drone attack in the war, launching 539 drones and 11 missiles into Ukrainian cities, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The assault left Kyiv, the capital, shrouded in smoke, with residential buildings damaged in five neighborhoods and the consular section of the Polish Embassy and China's consulate damaged. The attack came just hours after a phone call between President Trump and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The attack was the largest-scale missile and drone assault in the war, with 539 drones and 11 missiles launched by Russia.
  • The attack damaged the consular section of the Polish Embassy and China's consulate in Kyiv and Odesa, respectively.
  • Residential buildings were damaged in five neighborhoods in the capital, with one person killed and 26 others injured.
  • Russia has been ramping up drone attacks in recent months, with record numbers launched almost weekly.
  • President Trump and President Putin spoke by phone shortly before the air-raid alerts went off in Kyiv, with Trump stating he "didn't make any progress" with Putin.
  • The Trump administration has withheld some air defense missiles and other military aid promised to Ukraine, which relies on US-made Patriot missiles to defend against Russian ballistic missiles.
  • The attack was the first large-scale volley from Russia since the Trump administration said it would withhold air defense missiles.
  • Ukraine relies on US-made Patriot missiles as its only defense against some types of Russian ballistic missiles.
  • Russia launched one fast-flying ballistic missile called a Kinzhal, or Dagger, which can only be intercepted by US-made Patriots.
  • The air force reported shooting down two cruise missiles but did not report downing any ballistic missiles.

Statistics:

  • 539 drones were launched by Russia in the attack.
  • 11 missiles were also launched by Russia in the attack.
  • The largest number of drones ever launched in a single attack was 537, on June 29.
  • The attack killed one person and injured 26 others, including a child.
  • Ever-larger volleys of drone attacks have become weekly occurrences.
  • Russia has invested in industrial production of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which can fly hundreds of miles and carry a warhead of about 80 pounds.

Sources:

  • The New York Times
  • Ukrainian Air Force figures
  • Statement from the Ukrainian President's office
  • Description of the phone call between President Trump and President Putin by Yuri Ushakov, a Russian foreign policy official.