Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine to date overnight, deploying 728 Shahed and decoy drones along with 13 missiles, according to Ukraine's air force on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The wave of aerial strikes marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war, now over three years long. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy identified the northwestern city of Lutsk—near the Polish and Belarusian borders—as the primary target, though ten other regions were also hit.

Lutsk, which hosts military airfields frequented by Ukrainian cargo planes and fighter jets, suffered substantial damage. No casualties were reported immediately as emergency crews continued assessments. The attack appears to be part of Russia’s strategy to overload Ukrainian air defenses, with a growing use of decoy drones. It follows a series of increasingly large aerial offensives in recent weeks.

In parallel, Russian ground forces have intensified efforts to breach parts of the 1,000-kilometer front line. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has refused to adjust his ceasefire and peace conditions since Trump took office in January. On Monday, Trump acknowledged the likely need for further U.S. military aid to Ukraine, despite earlier delays in weapons deliveries.

Ukraine’s air force reported that it successfully intercepted 296 drones and seven missiles, while 415 drones were either jammed or disappeared from radar. Zelenskyy credited Ukraine’s domestically developed interceptor drones for the effective defense and said their production is being ramped up.

Western Ukraine, typically spared from direct attacks, plays a vital logistical role in receiving and distributing military aid arriving via NATO neighbors like Poland. These rear-area hubs have become key to Ukraine's defense network, though Russia’s recent long-range strikes suggest an effort to disrupt these critical supply lines.