UKRAINE UNDER FIRE
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, in the past year and a half, there have been only two days when Ukraine was not attacked by russian drones and missiles. While russia’s campaign of terror against the Ukrainian people has been unrelenting since the start of the invasion three years ago, in recent weeks the invaders have redoubled their efforts, launching record-breaking airstrikes all throughout Ukraine.
At the end of June 2025, russia launched 537 drones and missiles at Ukraine, beating the record for the most number of aerial weapons fired in a single strike since the start of the war. A few days later, russia again attacked, this time with 550 drones and missiles. Then, on July 9, russia again attacked with over 700 drones and missiles, hitting Lutsk and 10 other regions throughout Ukraine.
In the chart below, you’ll see that June 2025 has set a new record for the month with the greatest number of drones launched against Ukraine, with 5337 drones launched in one month.
The attacks have caused massive damage in numerous regions throughout Ukraine, including the capital city Kyiv. Typical of russian military strategy, the airstrikes are often aimed at civilian targets: schools, hospitals, energy infrastructure, and residences. It is now tragically common for reports to cite the single-digit ages of the Ukrainian children pulled from the rubble of destroyed apartment buildings.
The increased intensity of the attacks relates to the recent ceasefire talks between Ukraine and russia, which have floundered in recent weeks. russia’s goal in targeting civilian is the same as it was at the start of the war: to demoralize the Ukrainian people into submission.
In response to the attacks, President Zelenskyy has called for additional air defense equipment from allies. The U.S. administration had paused shipments of defensive munitions earlier in the week, but after a recent call with Zelenskyy, it has promised to resume shipments and is reportedly considering sending patriot missiles to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses.
Sources:
KyivIndependent.com, June 30, 2025
APNews.com, July 9, 2025
APNews.com, June 29, 2025
APNews.com, July 5, 2025
NPR.org, July 4, 2025
BBC.org, July 4, 2025
Reuters.com, July 5, 2025
