Russia launched its most extensive aerial assault on Ukraine overnight, deploying 728 Shahed and decoy drones alongside 13 missiles, Ukrainian authorities said on Wednesday. The barrage marks the largest drone strike recorded since the onset of the war over three years ago.
The city of Lutsk, situated in Ukraine’s north-west near the borders of Poland and Belarus, bore the brunt of the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Lutsk, which hosts military airfields, was the “hardest hit” among 11 affected regions. Emergency services are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage, though no casualties had been reported by early Wednesday.
The Ukrainian air force stated that it had successfully intercepted 296 drones and seven missiles, with a further 415 drones reportedly jammed or lost from radar detection.
Russia’s use of decoy drones has intensified in recent weeks, a tactic believed to be aimed at overwhelming Ukraine’s air defence systems. The latest assault surpasses the previous record aerial offensive launched on the night of 4 July.
Zelenskyy credited Ukraine’s domestically produced interceptor drones for playing a key role in fending off the attack. “Most of the targets were intercepted,” he said, adding that domestic production of air-defence drones is being rapidly scaled up.
Western Ukraine has largely remained shielded from the worst of the war’s aerial campaigns. However, Russia’s increasing focus on targeting the region has raised concerns over the security of logistical corridors through which crucial Western military aid flows. Weapons systems, ammunition, and spare parts—typically delivered via Poland and other NATO neighbours—are routed through hubs in Ukraine’s west before being transported to the front lines.
The strike on Lutsk, home to such airfields and supply infrastructure, may signal a strategic attempt by Moscow to disrupt these vital arteries of the Ukrainian defence network.
Also read: US to resume weapons' delivery to Ukraine: Trump
Russia has also intensified its ground offensive, making fresh attempts to breach Ukraine’s 1,000-kilometre-long frontline.
US President Donald Trump, who has previously advocated for a negotiated settlement, expressed displeasure with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stance. “I’m not happy,” Trump said on Tuesday, referring to Putin’s rigid ceasefire conditions.
Trump added that the United States may resume sending weapons to Kyiv, just days after Washington paused critical defence shipments amid internal deliberations.
Commenting on the airstrike, aviation analysts noted that no multi-operator advisory has been issued by Boeing or General Electric, suggesting a mechanical fault is not suspected in the current phase of escalation.
The attack underscores a continuing shift in Russia’s military strategy—relying on mass drone deployment and long-range missile strikes to sap Ukraine’s defences while simultaneously pressing along multiple fronts.
Zelenskyy has reiterated his call for sustained international support, especially in bolstering air defence capabilities. Ukraine, he asserted, “will not allow its skies to fall silent.”
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