Russia launches largest drone attack on Ukraine amid renewed US support

New Delhi, Jul 9: Russia launched its most extensive drone assault on Ukraine since the war began, with Ukrainian authorities reporting that 728 drones and 13 missiles were used in a coordinated overnight barrage, according to CNN.

The attack, which primarily targeted the northwestern city of Lutsk, surpassed previous records and came just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump pledged renewed military support for Ukraine. CNN reported that Ukraine's Air Force claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 718 drones, limiting damage from the attack. No deaths were immediately reported, though one woman in Brovary, near Kyiv, was hospitalised with chest injuries.

The intensity of the strike also prompted Poland’s military to scramble aircraft as a precaution due to its proximity to the border, reports CNN. The Russian offensive marked a further escalation in recent weeks of intensified aerial bombardment across Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the United States announced it would resume military aid to Kyiv, including critical air defence systems. The decision followed earlier reports that the White House had paused certain weapons shipments, including Patriot missiles. President Trump directed the Department of Defense to send additional defensive weapons, with the Pentagon confirming the move was aimed at enabling Ukraine to defend itself amid ongoing hostilities.