Russia has significantly escalated its aerial campaign against Ukraine, launching over 600 missiles and drones in a series of intense attacks since July 2024. These barrages, which have seen a marked increase in both frequency and scale, are increasingly aimed at overwhelming Ukraine's air defenses and striking critical civilian infrastructure and military targets across the country, including western regions previously considered safer. The relentless assaults have resulted in a surge in civilian casualties and widespread damage, prompting urgent calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for increased and swifter international aid to bolster air defense capabilities.
The Intensifying Aerial Onslaught
The conflict in Ukraine has entered a new, more intense phase of aerial bombardment as Russia dramatically ramps up its use of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Since July 2024, Ukrainian officials and international observers have reported a consistent and escalating pattern of Russian air attacks, with recent barrages exceeding 600 projectiles in single overnight assaults. This unprecedented scale signals a clear shift in Russia's strategy, aiming to degrade Ukraine's defenses and inflict widespread damage.
Recent weeks have seen record-breaking nightly attacks. For instance, on July 9, 2025, Ukraine reported a massive barrage of 728 drones and 13 missiles, with 718 drones allegedly intercepted. Just days later, on July 12, 2025, Ukrainian authorities reported over 620 drones and missiles launched in a single overnight assault, resulting in multiple casualties. These figures highlight a sustained and growing aerial threat that is testing Ukraine's defensive capacity.
Targets and Tactics: Overwhelming Air Defenses
Russia's intensified attacks are employing various tactics and targeting strategies:
Overwhelming Defenses: A primary objective of launching hundreds of drones and missiles simultaneously is to saturate and overwhelm Ukraine's air defense systems. By deploying a mix of loitering munitions (like the Iranian-made Shaheds) and various types of missiles (cruise and ballistic), Russia forces Ukraine to expend valuable interceptor missiles and potentially deplete its air defense reserves.
Targeting Critical Infrastructure: While military targets remain priorities, Russian strikes frequently hit civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, energy facilities, and transportation hubs. This aims to disrupt daily life, demoralize the population, and hinder Ukraine's logistics and military efforts.
Shifting Focus to Western Regions: Increasingly, these large-scale attacks are targeting western Ukrainian cities such as Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi, regions that were previously less affected by the conflict's front lines. These areas are crucial for receiving Western military aid and supplies, suggesting an attempt to disrupt Ukraine's vital supply lines and undermine its resilience.
Decoy Drones: Russia is also employing a growing number of decoy drones alongside actual attack drones to further confuse and exhaust Ukrainian air defense systems.
Human Cost and International Response
The human toll of these intensified attacks has been severe. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported a surge in civilian casualties, with June 2025 seeing the highest monthly civilian casualty count in three years. Long-range missile and drone strikes against urban areas are a key driver behind this spike, bringing "even more death and destruction to civilians far from the frontline."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly condemned these relentless barrages, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced air defense systems from international partners. He has called for swifter decisions on military aid and increased sanctions against countries or entities aiding Russia's drone production or financing its war efforts.
The ongoing aerial campaign underscores the critical need for robust and sophisticated air defense capabilities for Ukraine, as it continues to face a sustained and evolving threat from Russia's overwhelming missile and drone arsenal.