(Rightallegiance.com) – Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine to date in the early hours of July 9, unleashing hundreds of drones and missiles in a coordinated overnight attack targeting multiple cities across the country. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted the majority of the incoming threats, though several advanced missiles still managed to strike infrastructure in key areas, causing fires, damage to utilities, and civilian injuries. The attack, which spanned regions including Kyiv, Lutsk, and Dnipro, marked a dramatic escalation in the ongoing war and drew swift international attention.
In response to the intensity and proximity of the strikes, NATO fighter jets were scrambled from nearby alliance member states, including Poland and Romania. Although the jets did not engage directly with Russian forces, the move was a clear signal of heightened readiness and concern that the conflict could spill beyond Ukrainian borders. The unprecedented scale of the drone barrage raised alarms within NATO, particularly given the proximity of some strikes to alliance airspace. Officials reiterated that all necessary measures would be taken to defend NATO territory and deter further aggression.
Ukrainian officials called the attack a calculated show of force by Moscow, possibly timed to coincide with recent diplomatic developments and increased Western support for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy labeled the strike an act of terrorism and renewed his call for stronger air defense systems and additional international assistance. Meanwhile, Ukraine reportedly launched limited counterstrikes across the Russian border, further fueling fears of an expanding conflict. As tensions continue to rise, the July 9 assault serves as a grim reminder of the war’s volatility and the ever-present risk of wider confrontation.