In an attempt to intercept, Ukraine lost an F-16 fighter jet and pilots while trying to land the target.
Information from the Ukrainian Air Force said that 477 suicide UAVs and 60 Russian missiles were launched simultaneously at targets across Ukraine on the night of June 28 and early morning of June 29. This is considered one of the largest airstrikes that Russia has carried out since the start of the special military campaign.
Ukraine claimed to have shot down 436 UAVs and 38 missiles thanks to air defense systems combined with fighter jets, including F-16 fighters provided by the US. The Ukrainian pilots worked in extremely dangerous conditions, the statement from the Ukrainian Air Force said.
Among those involved in the battle was Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustimenko, the pilot of an F-16 that shot down seven targets before the plane was damaged as it approached the eighth target. Despite trying to control the plane out of the residential area, Ustimenko could not parachute and died on the spot.
This is the first confirmed loss of a newly deployed F-16 in combat by Ukraine.
In addition to the damage to the army, debris from Russian UAVs and missiles fell in at least eight areas, with six direct targets recorded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a residential building in the town of Smila near Cherkasy city was hit by bullets, injuring a child.
Mr. Zelensky also called for an investigation into the cause of Ustimenko's death, and praised the fighting spirit of the air force: "The heroic Ukrainian air force is bravely defending the sky. I would like to thank everyone who is protecting this country.
Mr Zelensky emphasized: " Moscow will not stop as long as they can launch large-scale attacks. We need to increase air defense capabilities. That is why we look forward to support from the US, Europe and all partners.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that it had shot down three Ukrainian UAVs overnight. In Poland, the Armed Forces combat Command confirmed that it had activated all air defense forces and radar in the highest alert state as Russian airstrikes approached airspace.
About 2 hours later, Poland said it had lowered the warning level as the threat had decreased, showing signs of temporary cooling but still extremely tense.
This record attack by UAVs and missiles once again shows that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has not shown any signs of cooling down, while Ukraine is under great pressure in both defense and losses of modern manpower and equipment.
