Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for urgent support from the United States and the Western allies to help and strengthen the air defence of Ukraine. Zelensky, in an emotional message after the deadly overnight attack by Russia, said, “Pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection.”
A Ukrainian official said on Sunday that Russia launched its biggest aerial attack against Ukraine overnight, reports AP. The recent attack is part of an escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed the hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the war. According to the report quoting the air force of Ukraine, Russia fired a total of 537 aerial weapons at Ukraine, including 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles. Out of these, 249 were shot down and 226 were lost, likely having been electronically jammed.
Almost all night long, air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine — 477 drones were in our skies, most of them Russian-Iranian Shaheds, along with 60 missiles of various types. The Russians were targeting everything that sustains life. A residential building in Smila was also hit,… pic.twitter.com/1ExZhYAMBg
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 29, 2025
According to the Ukrainian air force, one of its F-16 warplanes supplied by its Western partners crashed after sustaining damage while shooting down air targets. The pilot died. Zelensky confirmed that an F-16 pilot, Maksym Ustymenko, died after shooting down seven air targets.
“The Russians were targeting everything that sustains life. A residential building in Smila was also hit, and a child was injured,” Ukrainian President Zelenskyy wrote in a post on ‘X’.
The country has lost three F-16 fighter jets since it began to fly the US-made aircraft last year. Kyiv has not disclosed yet how many of these jets it currently operates, but they play a crucial role in the air defence efforts.
What Zelenskyy Said In His Post On X
The Ukrainian president said that almost all night, air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine — 477 drones were in the skies, and most of them were Russian-Iranian Shaheds, along with 60 missiles of various types. He said that Moscow will not stop as long as it has the capability to launch massive strikes.
“Just this week alone, there have been more than 114 missiles, over 1,270 drones, and nearly 1,100 glide bombs. Putin long ago decided he would keep waging war, despite the world’s calls for peace. This war must be brought to an end — pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection,” Zelenskyy posted on X.
“Protection from ballistic and other missiles, from drones, and from terror. Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense — the thing that best protects lives. These are American systems, which we are ready to buy. We count on leadership, political will, and the support of the United States, Europe, and all our partners. I thank everyone who is helping,” he further added.
