Ukraine says Russia has launched the biggest aerial attack since the start of the war

[AZProgressive]

Source: Associated Press

Updated 1:31 AM MST, June 29, 2025

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched its biggest aerial attack against Ukraine overnight, a Ukrainian official said Sunday, part of an escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the 3-year-old war.

Russia fired a total of 537 aerial weapons at Ukraine, including 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles, Ukraine’s air force said. Of these, 249 were shot down and 226 were lost, likely having been electronically jammed.

Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for Ukraine’s air force, told the Associated Press that the overnight onslaught was “the most massive air strike” on the country, taking into account both drones and various types of missiles. The attack targeted several regions, including western Ukraine, far from the frontline.

Poland and allied countries scrambled aircraft to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, the Polish air force said Sunday.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-biggest-aerial-attack-9fda235a9345d506cf6c796ddfa80e33

[Irish_Dem]

1. When will Europe help Ukraine?

Or are they going to stand by and watch Ukraine be totally destroyed?

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Unfortunately

Ukraine is neither part of the EU (has been trying for years and Hungary is STILL blocking and stalling) nor of NATO (also trying), so that puts them in no man's land.

Several European countries did give them F-16s (and trained them to fly them), one of which was unfortunately lost (along with the pilot) during this latest skirmish described in the OP.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Yes I know the posturing and restraints.

I am talking about the morality and practicality.

Is it the moral thing to do to let Putin destroy a European democracy and neighbor?
And on a practical level if Europe lets Putin destroy Ukraine, who is next to be invaded.

Europe is being very very foolish.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Well I saw this yesterday

In an about-face, Germany plans to build Europe's biggest military

So there is definitely some rejiggering going on there.

They are dealing with a problem with the U.S. that they haven't had to face since WWII, and more comprehensively, since the formation of the EU in the early '90s in the midst of the fall of the U.S.S.R.

The first term of 45 was mainly dealing with a spoiled toddler who could quickly devolve into temper-tantrums. But now they are seeing there are more sinister staff behind that facade of 45, who are a true threat, and who mean it when they say that they don't want anything to do with Ukraine, Europe, or anyone else (except maybe Russia).

Meanwhile, EU countries are still tied to Russia for LNG, so until they are completely free of Russia, they have to kowtow to a certain degree.

So since they HAVE to plan for the short-term, mid-term, and long-term, they had to get a feel for which way things were going to go with us and adjust accordingly. And they are starting to look at worst case scenarios and trying to come up with how to deploy a realignment in a way that is nimble enough to reverse, should our democracy hold, and we can get a new administration in place that is not GOP.

[FredGarvin]

5. Europe and the US FAILED Ukraine

If only the Ukrainians had staunch allies providing weapons like Russia has in North Korea and Iran.

The US should have FLOODED Ukraine with weapons systems capable of hitting Russian supply routes and launch sites inside Russia.
But, hey man, that would piss off Putin...

Fucking shameful and pathetic considering that we outspend the entire planet in military spending.

[blue-wave]

9. Yes, the entire "western world"

has failed Ukraine. They are not imposing the needed sanctions to bankrupt the Russian economy and they are holding back their military resources from the fight. It's a disgrace. Every day for 3 years I have been shaking my head at the lack of action to help Ukraine win. The blood of Ukraine is on the hands of all world "leaders."

Passing and implementing the Blumenthal/Graham sanctions bill would be a start to ending this disgraceful chapter of what is not soon enough world history.

[blue-wave]

10. When are we, the United States,

going to pass the Blumenthal/Graham sanctions bill, which imposes 500% tariffs on Russian exports? This will bankrupt Russia and end the war overnight. Putin would have no choice but to begin a troop withdrawal.

[Irish_Dem]

12. It does not appear that the US or Europe wants to end the war.

[The Madcap]

6. Time for Ukraine to send hundreds of drones and missiles

To the Kremlin at once. Something would have to get through.

[riversedge]

7. "Ukraine used its full arsenal to repel the attack, including combat aircraft, officials said. F-16 fighter jets provide

Russia hits Ukraine with biggest attack of the war; F-16 pilot is killed

Zelenskyy renews calls for Washington to sell Patriot missile systems to Kyiv after Kremlin strikes Ukraine with 537 missiles and drones.
https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-ukraine-biggest-attack-war-f16-pilot-kill/

By Veronika Melkozerova

KYIV — Russia hit Ukraine with 537 drones and missiles overnight Sunday in Moscow’s largest attack of the war, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

Ukraine shot down 475 of missiles and drones, the air force said, while one Ukrainian F-16 pilot was killed in the action. It was the largest assault the Kremlin has unleashed since the start of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s all-out invasion in early 2022.

The Russian attack started Saturday evening and continued for more than six hours, Ukrainian officials said. Drones and missiles targeted Cherkasy, Lviv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Kyiv, injuring a dozen people, destroying residential buildings and storage facilities, as well as critical infrastructure around the country, the officials said.


Neighboring Poland scrambled jets and activated its ground-based air defense units into readiness mode because of the attacks across the border in Ukraine.

Ukraine used its full arsenal to repel the attack, including combat aircraft, officials said. F-16 fighter jets provided by Western allies have become a key tool for defending against Russia’s missile attacks.

[LiberalLovinLug]

8. My opinion: Trump has greenlighted Putin to go all in

Despite his public demands for a ceasefire. Perhaps with the caveat, or threat, that eventually he'll have to relent and side with Ukraine and Europe. Or at least get serious about a real ceasefire and negotiations. If......if Putin can't take Ukraine by, say, summers end. Because Trump only sides with winners. And of course he assumes the biggest country, the one with the vastly bigger army and equipment, is the one with the "cards"

So he is pressuring Putin, on the phone, to INCREASE the onslaught. To force Zelensky to give up land for peace earlier than later

So he can crow about it and demand his Nobel prize

[The Madcap]

11. If the object is to destroy Ukraine

and if it's going to be successful, then Ukraine just needs to hit nuke power plants inside of Russia and then destroy everything the Russians might find useful in Ukraine. Poison the fields, irradiate the Russians, bomb the Kremlin. Just go all out.

Or try to outlast the Russians playing defense.

It's maddening that our "fearless leader," Captain Bonespurs, is backing Putin. Just pathetic.

[maxsolomon]

13. Terrorizing Ukraine into surrender.

Without US support for air defenses, Russia will devastate the entire country. If it's not already devastated.