KYIV: Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults of the three-year conflict on Ukraine yesterday, firing over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles across the country. The devastating barrage, which lasted for hours, is believed to be a retaliatory strike following Ukraine’s recent audacious “Operation Spiderweb,” which targeted Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers deep within its territory.
Ukrainian officials confirmed the scale of the attack, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that Russia deployed over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles in the overnight assault, making it one of the most intense since the full-scale invasion began. The strikes impacted at least nine regions, including the capital Kyiv, where falling drone debris sparked fires and tragically killed three emergency responders. Further fatalities were reported in Lutsk and Chernihiv, with at least six people dead and dozens injured across the country.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its strikes were in response to what it called Kyiv’s “terrorist acts,” directly referencing “Operation Spiderweb.” This highly successful Ukrainian operation, reportedly carried out on June 1, involved the infiltration of numerous drones into Russian territory, targeting several airbases and inflicting significant damage on Russia’s long-range bomber fleet, which includes crucial strategic cruise missile carriers like the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160. Ukrainian officials claimed the operation hit “34% of [Russia’s] strategic cruise missile carriers,” representing a substantial blow to Moscow’s ability to launch long-range missile attacks.
The latest Russian offensive targeted military and industrial facilities, arms depots, and repair facilities, according to Moscow. However, Ukrainian reports indicate widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, and energy facilities, leading to power outages in several areas. The scale of Russia’s retaliation underscores the Kremlin’s fury over the “Operation Spiderweb” and signals a potential escalation in the conflict’s intensity.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News