Kyiv [Ukraine], June 30: In a dramatic escalation, Russian forces launched a massive overnight strike on Ukrainian industrial targets, deploying long-range precision weapons and drones, according to Russia Today.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the large-scale operation, describing it as a “massive strike” aimed at Ukraine’s military-industrial and oil-processing facilities. The attack reportedly involved air-, sea-, and land-based high-precision weapons, including the hypersonic Kinzhal missile system and unmanned aerial vehicles. All intended targets were hit, according to the ministry.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the strike, stating that 477 explosive-laden drones and 60 various missiles were launched. In a Telegram post, he urged Western allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defense, revealing that a Western-supplied F-16 fighter jet was lost during interception efforts, killing its pilot.
Tensions grew further as Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuglaya accused military leadership of negligence, blaming them for the pilot’s death due to ineffective anti-drone protocols. Ukrainian defense sources reported that over 20 rockets and 40 drones bypassed their systems during the assault.
Local authorities reported fires and infrastructure damage in the Lviv and Poltava regions, particularly at suspected oil-processing facilities in Drohobych and Kremenchuk. Social media footage from across Ukraine captured scenes of explosions and devastation.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations have collapsed amid intensified Russian offensives. President Vladimir Putin reiterated his stance, saying, “I consider the Russian and Ukrainian peoples to be one,” and claimed, “All of Ukraine is ours.”
Ukrainian forces have launched counteroffensives, and despite Russia’s aggressive push, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russia’s attempt to break through in the northern Sumy region had been halted. While Russian forces continue their offensive across a 1,200-kilometer frontline, Ukraine has made some territorial gains.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War confirmed slowed Russian progress in Sumy, while Ukrainian analysts at DeepState reported ongoing pressure and territorial losses in other areas.
Putin’s goal of fully capturing Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson remains unchanged, though experts predict that at the current pace, achieving it would take years.
With diplomatic momentum fading and global political focus shifting, especially with waning U.S. pressure for peace talks, the conflict appears poised to continue well into 2026. The battlefield now reflects a stark contrast—sophisticated drone operations paired with rudimentary infantry clashes. Ukraine’s daring deep strikes on Russian air bases earlier in June highlight this new form of hybrid warfare.