BREAKING: 479 drones launched in Ukraine: Ukraine Faces Russia’s Largest Drone Attack Yet

In a dramatic escalation, Ukraine’s air force says Russia launched 479 drones last night in what officials called the largest drone siege of the war so far  . These unmanned aircraft were sent under cover of darkness, aiming to exploit low visibility. Along with drones, Ukraine’s air force reported at least 20 missiles targeted across different regions  .

Many of these drones are believed to be Iranian-made Shaheds, commonly used by Russia since the invasion began  . The main targets were critical infrastructure and civilian zones, consistent with previous nighttime drone waves aimed at wearing down Ukrainian defenses and morale  .

Despite the sheer volume of the attack, Ukraine successfully intercepted 40 out of 49 hostile aerial weapons in a single night—an impressive defense effort  . But civilians still suffered losses; UN data suggests more than 12,000 civilian fatalities from drone and missile strikes across the war .

Beyond This Attack: Ukraine’s Drone Offensive

This massive raid follows Ukraine’s bold Operation Spiderweb on June 1. Ukrainian drones penetrated deep into Russian territory, striking five air bases—including those in Siberia—and crippling strategic bomber fleets  . Ukraine claims 34 percent of Russia’s strategic aircraft were damaged or destroyed, with some estimates reporting over 40 planes hit, although Russia disputes the exact figures  .

Video and satellite footage confirm drones took off from truck-mounted launching systems, striking aircraft parked on runways  . Analysts call the operation a game-changer—proof that low-cost drones can threaten high-value military assets far from front lines  .

What This Means

These twin events show the evolving nature of the war:

• Russia’s increasing night-time drone waves demonstrate high-volume barrage tactics against Ukraine’s infrastructure.

• Ukraine’s deep-strike drone operations, like Operation Spiderweb, challenge traditional defense by striking deep inside enemy territory.

• The human toll is grim: massive drone attacks have caused widespread civilian suffering, even as Ukraine’s air defenses intercept many threats.

Final Thoughts

This shift in the battlefield highlights three main trends:

1. Drone arms race – Russia favors swarm attacks while Ukraine relies on stealth and precision.

2. Hybrid threat – Low-cost drones are emerging as strategic-level weapons, capable of delivering deep and costly strikes.

3. Fear and resilience – These attacks inflict more than physical damage; they test morale and civic endurance on both sides.

At heart, both countries are leveraging unmanned systems in a flexible, fast, and destructive way. Russia counts on saturation attacks to erode defenses, while Ukraine’s precise drone strikes are reshaping how air power is used in modern conflict.