Russia unleashed one of its most intense aerial assaults in recent months on Ukraine overnight, deploying hundreds of drones and missiles that struck cities across the country and left a trail of destruction in their wake. The Ukrainian military confirmed that one of its F-16 fighter jets was downed during the attack, the third such loss since the full-scale war began.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched a total of 537 aerial weapons — including 477 drones and 60 cruise and ballistic missiles — targeting western, southern, and central regions of the country. Ukrainian air defences responded with full force, shooting down 211 drones and 38 missiles. An additional 225 drones were either jammed electronically or deemed decoys, the military added.
Explosions were reported in Lviv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy, according to regional officials. Damage was reported to residential buildings, infrastructure, and industrial facilities. Six people were injured in Cherkasy, including a child, after missiles struck a college and several multi-storey residential buildings, local governor Ihor Taburets said.
In Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk, attacks damaged industrial facilities. Images shared by local authorities showed apartment buildings with blackened facades, shattered windows, and emergency responders evacuating residents.
In Lviv, in western Ukraine, officials said critical infrastructure was targeted, although the full extent of the damage was not immediately clear.
Tragically, the Ukrainian military confirmed the loss of an F-16 fighter jet during the defense operation. According to the Air Force, the pilot, identified as having successfully shot down seven enemy aerial targets, attempted to steer the damaged aircraft away from populated areas but was unable to eject in time. “He used all his onboard weapons and was struck while intercepting the final target,” the military said.
The fallen pilot was hailed for his bravery in preventing further civilian casualties. The Air Force emphasized that all available air defense systems were mobilized to counter the onslaught.
This latest wave of attacks follows recent warnings from Ukrainian officials about Russia’s escalating use of mass drone and missile tactics aimed at overwhelming air defenses and causing chaos far from the front lines.
As recovery efforts continue in affected regions, Ukraine’s military leadership has vowed to strengthen air defense capabilities and called on international partners for further support to defend against such large-scale attacks.
