Russia launched its biggest airstrike on Ukraine since the war began on June 29, the FT reported.
The massive Russian strikes signal a sharp escalation by Moscow, further undermining hopes for a peaceful resolution to the war.
Russia launched 537 airstrikes on Ukraine on the night of June 29, including 477 and 60 missiles of various types. Ukrainian air defense forces managed to intercept 211 drones and 38 missiles.
According to Ukrainian officials, Moscow wants to systematically weaken Ukraine's air defense.
Also, Ukrainian F-16 pilot Maksym Ustimenko died while repelling a night attack by the Russian Federation. His plane was damaged in shooting down seven air targets, after which he directed the fighter jet away from populated areas, but failed to eject.
Senior Ukrainian officials told reporters that they expect Russia's ground offensive and air campaign to intensify further in the summer.
A Ukrainian pilot was killed and his F-16 fighter jet crashed while repelling a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack last night, Ukraine's armed forces confirmed. It was the third F-16 lost since the start of the war.
„The pilot used up all the weapons on board and shot down seven air targets. "While he was taking down the latter, his plane was damaged and began to lose altitude," the air force said in a statement on the Telegram app.