Russian forces launched one of the largest aerial assaults of the war overnight on Monday, June 9, sending at least 479 attack drones across Ukraine in a massive multi-pronged attack.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, air defenses shot down 292 of Russia’s 499 aerial attack vehicles during the June 8–9 assault, including 277 Shahed drones and 20 missiles.
Electronic warfare systems disabled an additional 187 drones and missiles by jamming or disrupting their guidance, preventing them from reaching their intended targets.
Ukraine’s air force said its air defense units responded quickly with intercepts and tracking systems. The strike marked a sharp escalation in Russia’s air campaign as fighting intensified on multiple fronts.
Why did Poland scramble jets near the border?
Polish and allied fighter jets scrambled early Monday after Russia launched airstrikes targeting western Ukraine, prompting concern in NATO-member Poland.
Poland’s military command said it activated radar and missile defense units and placed air defense on high alert. Although no airspace violations occurred, the Polish response aimed to secure regions near the border, according to a translated statement.
The jets returned to regular duty later that morning. Poland, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has routinely monitored air activity since the war began in 2022.
Where are Russian ground forces advancing?
Russia reported advances toward east-central Ukraine, including Dnipropetrovsk, a region that had more than 3 million residents prior to the war.
In the east, Russian troops are also approaching Kostyantynivka in Donetsk from several directions, aiming to gain ground near key supply routes, according to Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Zaporozhets.
In the north, Russian forces are closing in on Sumy, nearly three years after being pushed out. Independent monitors confirmed Russia’s claim of retaking the village of Loknia, near the Sumy border, according to reporting by The Guardian.
What is the status of prisoner exchanges?
Tensions remain high over the return of prisoners and the remains of war casualties. Russia has accused Ukraine of delaying the exchange of 12,000 bodies. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied the charge, saying Russia has not shared the names of more than 1,000 Ukrainian captives.
[embedded content]
Zelenskyy described the situation as another attempt by Moscow to manipulate humanitarian processes for political gain. He reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to continuing exchange negotiations despite the deadlock in broader peace talks.
Jonah Applegarth (Production Specialist),
Devan Markham (Morning Digital Producer),
and Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor)
contributed to this report.
