In the largest aerial assault since the full-scale invasion began, russia launched 741 airborne weapons against Ukraine during the night of July 9, 2025. The attack started at 8:00 p.m. on July 8 and included 728 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy UAVs, along with sevenKh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles and six Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles.
The air offensive was carried out from multiple launch points in russia, including Bryansk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk, Orel, and Millerovo. Missile launches originated from Engels in Saratov region and from aircraft over Lipetsk region. The main direction of the strike was toward the northwest of Ukraine, with Lutsk identified as a central target.
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Ukrainian forces mounted a coordinated response using fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missile systems, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare units, and counter-drone technologies. The defensive effort was swift and involved multiple branches working in real-time.
By 8:30 a.m., the Ukrainian Air Force reported that 718 out of 741 aerial threats had been neutralized. Of those, 303 were physically shot down, while 415 were rendered ineffective through jamming or signal interference by electronic warfare systems.
Among the intercepted threats were 296 Shahed-type drones and similar UAVs downed with kinetic weapons. All seven Kh-101 and Iskander-K cruise missiles were successfully destroyed. No confirmation has been given regarding the outcome of the Kinzhal missile launches.
Despite the high interception rate, several weapons reached their targets. Strikes were recorded in four different locations, and debris from downed objects landed in at least 14 areas. Local authorities are assessing the extent of damage.
The scale and intensity of this attack mark a new level of escalation. It highlights both the effectiveness and the limits of Ukraine's layered air defense and signals a clear need for continued international support in bolstering the country's ability to counter mass air raids.
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