Russia conducts large drone and missile attack on Ukraine as Kyiv seeks US air defense support

Russia conducts large drone and missile attack on Ukraine as Kyiv seeks US air defense support

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, a firefighter puts out a fire following a Russian attack in Kyiv region, Ukraine, on July 9, 2025.

LONDON -- According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia launched its largest drone attack of the conflict on Ukraine overnight into Wednesday, using 741 aerial vehicles in the operation.

Ukraine's air force stated on Telegram that Russia launched 728 drones—a combination of attack drones and decoys—and 13 missiles into the country overnight. The northwestern Volyn region and its city of Lutsk were identified as the main targets.

The air force reported that 711 drones were intercepted or neutralized, and seven missiles were also intercepted. Impacts were recorded in at least four locations, according to the air force.

Zelenskyy described the attack as involving the highest number of aerial targets in a single day. He characterized the assault as an indication from Moscow regarding its position on ongoing efforts to end the conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Damage was reported in the Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions, according to Zelenskyy.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, a firefighter puts out a fire following a Russian attack in Kyiv region, Ukraine, on July 9, 2025.

"This is a telling attack," Zelenskyy said. "It comes at a time when many efforts have been made to achieve peace and establish a ceasefire, and Russia continues to reject them."

"This is further evidence of the need for sanctions—particularly on oil, which has provided financial resources for Moscow during the conflict," he wrote. "Secondary sanctions on those who purchase this oil and thereby contribute to funding the conflict."

"Our partners know how to apply pressure in a way that could influence Russia's actions regarding the conflict," Zelenskyy said. "Everyone who wants peace must act."

In Poland, which borders Ukraine to the west, the Armed Forces Operational Command stated on X that the Russian strikes prompted Polish and allied aircraft to be deployed.

• "Duty fighter pairs have been scrambled and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness," the command wrote on X.

Two hours later, the command issued a new statement indicating that the forces had been stood down "due to the reduced threat of Russian missile strikes."

The Russian Defense Ministry stated on Telegram that the drone and missile attack targeted "the infrastructure of military airfields," and claimed that "all designated targets were hit."

Ukraine continued its own cross-border attacks into Russia overnight. The Defense Ministry in Moscow stated on Telegram that its forces downed 86 Ukrainian drones overnight, with four drones intercepted over the Moscow region.

Artem Korenyako, press secretary for Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency, stated on Telegram that flight restrictions were temporarily implemented at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow.

The recent Russian attack occurred during a period of increased aerial cross-border attacks by Moscow. In June, a new monthly record was set for the number of long-range drones and missiles launched into Ukraine—5,438 drones and 239 missiles—according to figures published by the Ukrainian air force.

Despite the trend toward larger and more frequent strikes, President Donald Trump's administration last week confirmed it had paused the shipment of some air defense and precision-guided weapons that were scheduled for Ukraine, citing concerns about U.S. stockpiles.

Among the munitions delayed were interceptor missiles for Ukraine's Patriot surface-to-air systems, which have played a role in Kyiv's defense against Russian drones and ballistic missiles.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out a fire following a Russian attack in Volyn region, Ukraine, on July 9, 2025.

On Tuesday, Trump told reporters he did not know who ordered the freeze. "I don't know, why don't you tell me?" the president responded when asked who was responsible.

A U.S. official told ABC News that officials are analyzing which weapons should be sent to Ukraine by using a stoplight chart—designating specific systems with red, yellow, or green status. Red status indicates that U.S. supply of a particular munition is low, the official said.

Zelenskyy said Tuesday he had instructed his defense officials to "intensify all contacts with the American side" regarding continued military aid.

"This primarily concerns air defense, as well as all other elements of supplies from America," the president said on social media. "This is critical aid, on which the safety of our people and the defense of Ukrainian cities and villages depend."

"I expect results from these contacts in the near future, and in particular, we are preparing meeting formats for our teams—both military and political—this week," Zelenskyy said.