Fact Check: "Russia launches biggest aerial attack on Ukraine with 537 weapons."
What We Know
On June 29, 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched a significant aerial assault, deploying 537 drones and missiles in a single night, marking it as the largest attack since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This information was corroborated by multiple sources, including NPR and NBC News. The Ukrainian military indicated that of the 537 weapons used, 249 were intercepted, while the remainder either disappeared from radar or were non-lethal decoys designed to confuse air defenses (New York Times).
The strikes targeted various cities across Ukraine, including Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk, and Lviv, impacting both civilian infrastructure and military targets (NBC News). The Ukrainian Air Force also reported the death of a pilot during the assault, who managed to shoot down seven aerial targets before his aircraft was damaged (NPR).
Analysis
The claim that Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Ukraine with 537 weapons is supported by credible sources. The Ukrainian Air Force, a primary source of this information, has a vested interest in accurately reporting military engagements, and their data aligns with reports from reputable news outlets like NBC News and NPR.
The attack's scale is significant, particularly as it includes a high number of drones, which have become increasingly central to Russia's military strategy. The use of decoy drones complicates the assessment of the effectiveness of Ukraine's air defenses, as these decoys can consume valuable resources (New York Times). The fact that the Ukrainian Air Force reported a high interception rate (about 90% of drones) but struggled with missile interceptions (only two-thirds shot down) indicates the evolving nature of aerial warfare in this conflict.
However, while the Ukrainian Air Force's data is credible, it is important to note that independent verification of the exact figures is challenging due to the ongoing conflict and the chaotic nature of war (New York Times).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Ukraine, involving 537 weapons, is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. The data provided by the Ukrainian Air Force, along with corroborating reports from established news organizations, confirms the scale and impact of this assault. Given the context of the ongoing conflict and the strategic use of drones, this attack represents a significant escalation in hostilities.
