- Ukraine faced a record 475 drones and 62 missiles overnight, according to President Zelenskyy.
- Heroic F-16 pilot Maksym Ustymenko shot down 7 aerial targets before dying in action.
- Air Force reports 475 targets neutralized through missiles, drones, and electronic warfare.
- Russian forces claim killing 200 Ukrainian soldiers and destroying Starlink systems.
- Zelenskyy urges U.S. and Europe to expedite advanced air defense systems.
🇺🇦 Ukraine endures one of the largest coordinated aerial attacks
Ukraine was pounded by a massive wave of Russian air assaults overnight, involving 475 drones—mostly Iranian-made Shahed models—and 62 missiles, including ballistic and cruise variants, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In a grim update shared on social media, Zelenskyy said the air raid alerts persisted throughout the night across the country, and that “the Russians were targeting everything that sustains life.” One of the strikes hit a residential building in the city of Smila, injuring a child. Emergency teams have been deployed across affected areas.
💔 A fallen pilot hailed as a hero
Zelenskyy confirmed the death of F-16 pilot Maksym Ustymenko, who was killed while defending the skies. The President noted that Ustymenko had destroyed seven aerial targets during the operation and vowed a full investigation into the incident. “Ukrainian aviation is heroically protecting our skies,” Zelenskyy said. “I am grateful to everyone who is defending Ukraine.”
💥 Ukraine claims success, but warns of growing threat
Ukraine’s Air Force announced that it had intercepted or suppressed 475 of the 537 aerial targets:
- 211 Shahed and similar UAVs were shot down
- 225 UAVs neutralized via electronic warfare (EW)
- 1 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missile intercepted
- 33 Kh-101 and Iskander-K cruise missiles destroyed
- 4 Kalibr cruise missiles intercepted
According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the unprecedented attack once again shows the urgent need for modern air defense systems. “Ukraine needs more air defense to protect our people from Russian terror,” the statement read.
🛰️ Russia claims major Ukrainian losses
Meanwhile, Russian state media TASS quoted Eastern Command spokesperson Alexey Yakovlev claiming that Ukrainian forces suffered up to 200 casualties, and lost several assets including:
- Three Starlink satellite communication systems
- One American-made M113 armored vehicle
- Seven other military vehicles
- Fifteen drone control stations and two field artillery guns
📣 Zelenskyy calls for international resolve
President Zelenskyy ended his address with a direct appeal to Ukraine’s allies in the U.S. and Europe. “Moscow will not stop as long as it has the capability to launch massive strikes. Putin long ago decided he would keep waging war, despite the world’s calls for peace,” he warned.
“We count on leadership, political will, and the support of the United States, Europe, and all our partners,” Zelenskyy said. “Pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection.”
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