Fact Check: Russia launched nearly 500 drones and missiles in tactical operation.

Fact Check: "Russia launched nearly 500 drones and missiles in tactical operation."

What We Know

On June 9, 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 479 drones and 20 missiles in what was described as the largest overnight drone bombardment of the ongoing war, which has lasted over three years (source-1, source-2). This attack was part of a series of escalating aerial assaults by Russia, aimed at overwhelming Ukrainian air defenses (source-3). The Ukrainian military claimed that their defenses intercepted 277 drones and 19 missiles, with only 10 strikes successfully hitting their targets (source-2).

This barrage follows a pattern of increasing intensity in Russian aerial attacks, with previous record-setting assaults occurring just days prior. For instance, on June 1, Russia launched 472 drones and 7 missiles, which was previously the largest combined aerial assault reported (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Russia launched nearly 500 drones and missiles is corroborated by multiple credible sources, including major news outlets such as The New York Times and the Associated Press. Both outlets reported the figure of 479 drones and 20 missiles, confirming the scale of the operation as unprecedented in the context of the ongoing conflict (source-1, source-2).

The information is consistent across various reports, including those from the BBC and Fox News, which also highlighted the significant increase in the frequency and scale of Russian aerial attacks (source-3, source-4). The reports indicate a strategic shift by Russia to intensify its military operations in response to Ukraine's own drone strikes against Russian air bases (source-1).

While the Ukrainian military's claims regarding the number of intercepted drones and missiles may not be independently verifiable, the consistency of reported figures across multiple reputable sources lends credibility to the assertion that Russia did indeed launch nearly 500 drones and missiles.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Russia launched nearly 500 drones and missiles in tactical operation" is substantiated by multiple credible sources that report the exact figures of 479 drones and 20 missiles launched during the attack. The context of this operation, as part of a broader escalation in aerial assaults, further supports the accuracy of this claim.