Russia launched one of its largest airstrikes on Ukraine – Zelensky

On the night of July 4, Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine, with air raid sirens sounding across the country shortly after media reports emerged about a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vvadimir putin.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a post on Telegram, as reported by Ukrinform.

“Firefighting efforts and debris removal are still ongoing after another Russian strike. This was one of the most large-scale air attacks – deliberately massive and cynical. In total, 550 targets were launched, including at least 330 Russian-Iranian ‘shaheds’, along with missiles, including ballistic ones,” Zelensky stated.

He noted that the first air raid alerts in Ukrainian cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin.

“Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror. Only around 9 a.m. today did the air raid alert end in Kyiv. It was a brutal, sleepless night,” he wrote.

The President stressed that the capital was the main target of this Russian strike.

“Our warriors managed to shoot down 270 aerial targets, while another 208 drones were jammed by electronic warfare. Interceptor drones have started operating – dozens of drones were taken down. We are doing everything possible to develop this element of defense for our cities. And it is critically important that our partners continue to support us in defending against ballistic missiles. Patriots and the missiles for them are true protectors of life,” Zelensky added.

The head of state stressed that the Russian strike affected not only Kyiv but also the Dnipro, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions.

“As of now, 23 people are known to have been wounded. Everyone is receiving assistance. There are many sites where drone and missile debris fell. Sadly, there were also direct hits. All of this is clear evidence that without truly large-scale pressure, Russia will not change its dumb, destructive behavior. For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure. This is the only thing that can be achieved quickly to change the situation for the better. And it depends on our partners, primarily the United States,” Zelensky said.

As reported by Ukrinform, twenty-three people were injured in Kyiv as a result of the Russian airstrike, with 14 of them hospitalized.