Kyiv Suffers Largest Aerial Attack of War as Russia Launches 550 Drones and Missiles

Last Updated Jul - 04 - 2025, 03:25 PM | Source : Fela News

Russia launched its most massive aerial assault on Kyiv overnight, deploying 550 drones and missiles. The attack injured 23, caused major damage, and followed a

Kyiv Suffers Largest Aerial Attack

Kyiv faced its most intense aerial assault since the start of Russia’s invasion, with waves of drones and missiles striking the capital overnight into Friday, injuring 23 people and causing widespread damage across several districts. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched a total of 550 drones and missiles across the country during the night, with the majority being Shahed drones, alongside 11 missiles.

Associated Press journalists in Kyiv reported hearing the persistent hum of drones, along with explosions and heavy machine gun fire, as Ukrainian defense forces worked through the night to repel the attack.

Kyiv bore the brunt of the assault. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that 23 people were injured, 14 of whom required hospitalization. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept 270 aerial threats, including two cruise missiles. An additional 208 were lost from radar and are believed to have been jammed.

Despite the interceptions, Russia succeeded in striking eight locations using nine missiles and 63 drones. Debris from intercepted drones landed in at least 33 different areas across the city.

The large-scale attack occurred shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and commented publicly for the first time on his administration’s decision to pause certain arms shipments to Ukraine. The delay affects critical defense systems, including Patriot and Stinger missiles, as well as AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles—key components in defending against drone and missile threats.

This attack came less than a week after Russia's previous largest aerial offensive of the war, in which 537 drones, decoys, and 60 missiles were launched.

Emergency services reported extensive damage in at least five of Kyiv’s ten districts. In Solomianskyi, a five-story residential building was partially destroyed, and the roof of a nearby seven-story building caught fire. Additional fires were reported at a warehouse, garage complex, and auto repair shop. In Sviatoshynskyi, a 14-story building was hit, sparking a blaze and igniting nearby vehicles. The Shevchenkivskyi district saw damage to the ground floor of an eight-story building. Falling debris was also reported in Darnytskyi and Holosiivskyi.

Ukraine’s national railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, reported drone-related damage to rail infrastructure in the capital.

meta description: Russia launched its biggest aerial assault on Kyiv overnight, firing 550 drones and missiles and injuring 23 people. The attack caused widespread damage and came hours after the U.S. paused key arms shipments to Ukraine.