Massive drone and missile barrage overwhelms defenses, kills civilians, and marks the most intense assault on Kyiv to date
In the early hours of July 4, 2025, Kyiv endured what has been described as the largest aerial assault since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The attack, which included a combination of drones and ballistic missiles, inflicted heavy damage across multiple districts of the capital, leaving at least one person dead and 23 injured. Ukrainian authorities stated that the barrage included over 500 Shahed-type drones and 11 ballistic and cruise missiles, targeting residential neighborhoods, civilian infrastructure, and emergency response centers. The scale and coordination of the attack suggest it was timed for maximum psychological and strategic impact, coming on the heels of a widely publicized phone call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian officials characterized the strike as a deliberate and cynical show of force, intended not only to demoralize the population but also to send a geopolitical message.
The assault caused widespread destruction, with nearly 40 apartment buildings sustaining damage. Multiple schools, a medical center, and a number of cafés and private vehicles were also hit. Fires erupted across at least six of Kyiv’s districts, forcing thousands of residents into underground shelters for hours. Air raid sirens began sounding late in the evening and continued into the early morning hours. Kyiv’s metro stations once again became temporary shelters, echoing scenes from the early days of the war. Emergency services responded to dozens of fire outbreaks, structural collapses, and debris clearing, as shattered glass and rubble littered the streets. Despite their rapid response, the scale of the damage overwhelmed local resources. In some areas, emergency crews were forced to pause operations due to secondary explosions caused by so-called “double-tap” strikes—where drones return to the same location shortly after the initial hit, targeting rescuers and first responders.
Ukraine’s air defense systems were active throughout the night, reportedly intercepting hundreds of incoming threats. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, at least 478 of the over 700 aerial weapons were neutralized through a combination of missile defense systems, electronic jamming, and mobile anti-drone units. Nevertheless, the sheer volume of the attack meant that even successful interceptions could not entirely prevent destruction on the ground. Military analysts noted that the tactic of overwhelming defenses with sheer numbers appears to be a deliberate Russian strategy aimed at exhausting Ukraine’s stockpiles of missiles and anti-aircraft ammunition. Ukrainian officials have reiterated calls for increased military aid from Western allies, particularly in the form of advanced air defense systems such as Patriot and NASAMS batteries, many of which are now in short supply due to delays in foreign deliveries.
The July 4 attack was soon followed by an even more massive offensive just days later, on the night of July 9–10, when Russia launched a record-breaking 728 drones along with 13 missiles across several Ukrainian regions. This newer wave of attacks resulted in at least six civilian deaths and dozens more injuries, with extensive damage reported in the Kyiv, Brovary, and Obukhiv regions. Residential buildings, industrial facilities, and transportation hubs were targeted. In Brovary, fires engulfed homes and vehicles, and one man was hospitalized with burns. In Obukhiv, a 51-year-old man was injured, and multiple homes were rendered uninhabitable. Ukrainian air defense intercepted nearly 300 drones and seven cruise missiles during that attack, but several got through, exacerbating the already dire situation on the ground.
The intensification of Russia’s aerial campaign has raised concerns not only within Ukraine but also among international observers. The timing of the July 4 attack—following closely on the Trump–Putin call—has sparked speculation about Moscow’s intentions. Some Ukrainian analysts argue that the strike was orchestrated to portray dominance and to publicly diminish the credibility of Western deterrence. President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as a “public humiliation for the democratic world,” urging allies to see the timing and method of the attack as a strategic provocation. The use of “double-tap” tactics, where drones or missiles return to target first responders, has also been widely condemned as a possible violation of international humanitarian law.
In response to the escalation, Ukraine has begun ramping up its domestic production of drones and mobile air defense systems, signing new defense agreements with the United States, Denmark, and several European manufacturers. These deals aim to reduce Ukraine’s dependence on slow-moving foreign aid packages and improve its ability to respond to future large-scale attacks. While much of the Ukrainian population has adapted to the now-regular threat of aerial bombardment, the psychological toll remains high. Repeated mass attacks have disrupted education, healthcare services, and basic utilities. Experts warn that unless Western nations increase both the volume and speed of defense support, Ukraine may find itself at greater risk as Russia continues to escalate the scale and sophistication of its strikes
source : bbc news
