On June 29, 2025, Russian forces launched a massive air assault on Ukraine—deploying 477 drones and 60 missiles in what Ukrainian military officials described as "one of the largest and most intense air raids in recent weeks". Ukrainian air defenses intercepted approximately 211 drones and 38 missiles before they could strike.

The attack spanned at least six regions, including Kyiv, Lviv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, and Ivano-Frankivsk. It caused structural damage to homes, industrial facilities, and public infrastructure. In Cherkasy, six people—even a child—were wounded when a college and apartment buildings were hit. One woman was injured in Ivano-Frankivsk.

Among the most significant losses, a Ukrainian F‑16 pilot was killed defending against the assault. The Air Force confirmed that this marked Ukraine’s third F‑16 loss during the operation. His jet reportedly downed seven enemy targets before crashing; the pilot managed to steer it clear of residential areas but couldn’t eject in time.

President Zelensky condemned the attack and called for enhanced Western air-defense support—highlighting the scale of recent nocturnal Russian raids as the conflict enters its fourth year.