By Emeka Blast 
Hundreds of Drones: Russia’s Largest Aerial Onslaught Targets Ukraine
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia fired 249 drones and 20 missiles, with 249 intercepted and the remainder disappearing from radar. The barrage struck civilian areas, including a private home in the Kyiv region and a commercial warehouse in Mykolaiv, where one person was killed in Rivne. In Smila, a central Ukrainian town, a child was injured, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack also claimed the life of Maksym Ustymenko, a Ukrainian F-16 pilot, who died after steering his damaged aircraft away from a populated area following the downing of seven Russian targets.
Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as “pure terrorism,” noting they targeted “almost all of Ukraine” and urged Western allies to bolster air defenses and impose new sanctions on Moscow. “Russia is escalating the war and has no intention of stopping it,” said Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s top adviser. The assault follows a June 1 Ukrainian drone operation, “Spider’s Web,” which destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft at airbases deep inside Russia, prompting Moscow’s vow of retaliation.
The attack coincided with stalled peace talks in Istanbul, where Russian and Ukrainian delegations have failed to advance beyond prisoner swaps, with 1,000 prisoners exchanged per side. Russian demands for Ukraine to cede territory and halt arms supplies have been rejected by Kyiv and criticized by European leaders as “unacceptable.” U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pushed for a ceasefire, condemned the strikes but faces challenges in mediating, with Russian President Vladimir Putin insisting on preconditions for any truce.
The bombardment reflects Russia’s ramped-up drone production, with over 1,000 Shahed drones launched weekly since March 2025, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Despite intercepting 80-85% of drones, Ukraine struggles with manpower shortages and strained air defenses. The strikes have fueled calls for advanced Western systems like Patriot batteries and AI-enabled anti-drone technology to counter Russia’s tactics.
As air raid sirens echoed across Kyiv for over five hours, residents sought shelter in metro stations and bomb shelters. “We strongly believe in our armed forces,” said Olha, a 39-year-old Kyiv resident, dismissing Russia’s strikes as routine aggression. The assault, part of a broader escalation including Russian ground offensives in Donetsk and Sumy, underscores the ongoing intensity of the three-year conflict, with no immediate resolution in sight.
