Russia launches massive aerial assault on Ukraine, kills two in Chernivtsi

Saturday 12 July 2025 - 15:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Russia launches massive aerial assault on Ukraine, kills two in Chernivtsi

Russia conducted one of its largest aerial attacks in recent weeks, launching 623 drones and missiles on Saturday. The strikes, which targeted Ukraine’s western cities, killed two people in Chernivtsi and injured at least 20 others, Ukrainian officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russia fired 597 drones and 26 missiles, damaging civilian infrastructure across the country. Major cities affected included Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast and Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi in the west.

Ukrainian air defense units intercepted 25 missiles and 319 Iranian-made Shahed drones, while electronic warfare systems jammed 258 additional drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

“The pace of Russia’s aerial strikes demands swift decisions – and it can be curbed now by sanctions,” Zelenskyy urged on Telegram, calling for stronger sanctions against Moscow and additional air defense support from Ukraine’s allies.

Devastation in western Ukraine

The hardest-hit areas during the overnight attack were the western cities of Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi. In Chernivtsi, located near the Romanian border, a 26-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man lost their lives, and 14 others were injured as drones and missiles struck residential areas. Fires broke out across the city, damaging homes and administrative buildings, according to regional governor Ruslan Zaparaniuk.

In Lviv, near the border with Poland, widespread destruction was reported. The attack damaged 46 residential buildings, a university, city courts, and several small businesses. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi described the impact as devastating, with glass, debris, and shattered furniture strewn across homes.

“Windows and doors were blown out. Curtains fell, TV set was hurled. The apartment is covered in glass shards. It is horrible,” said Oleh Sidorov, a 64-year-old resident of Lviv.

Rising civilian toll

The attack marks the fourth major aerial strike on Ukraine this month. Russia has significantly increased its use of drones and missiles since June, leading to a surge in civilian casualties. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, June 2025 recorded the highest monthly civilian toll in three years, with 232 people killed and 1,343 injured.

Zelenskyy continues to press Western nations for decisive action, emphasizing that “this war can only be stopped through strength.” As Ukraine braces for further escalation, the call for additional military aid and sanctions has become increasingly urgent.