Russia launched its largest drone assault on Ukraine to date, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump accused Vladimir Putin of stalling peace talks and pledged more weapons to Kyiv, reported CNN.
Ukraine’s Air Force said it shot down 718 of 728 drones and 13 missiles in the overnight barrage that killed one person and injured several others.
A new massive Russian attack on our cities. It was the highest number of aerial targets in a single day: 741 targets – 728 drones of various types, including over 300 shaheds, and 13 missiles – Kinzhals and Iskanders. Most of the targets were shot down. Our interceptor drones… pic.twitter.com/Lxa5TdYVXT
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 9, 2025
The main target was the western city of Lutsk. Poland scrambled jets in response to the cross-border airspace activity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the assault a “demonstrative attack,” accusing Moscow of rejecting peace.
Trump, speaking at a Cabinet meeting, said the U.S. would resume shipments of Patriot missiles and other defensive arms, reversing a prior Pentagon pause. “We’re going to send more weapons,” he said.
Germany and the European Court of Human Rights also condemned Russia, as Ukraine announced the arrest of two Chinese nationals accused of spying on its missile program.
