Russia Launches 290 Drones and 6 Missiles at Ukraine as ISW Warns of Another Massive Strike
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Post · May 31
Russia Launches 290 Drones and 6 Missiles at Ukraine as ISW Warns of Another Massive Strike
8 articles · Updated · Kyiv Post · May 31
Russia fired 290 drones, one ballistic missile and five cruise missiles at Ukraine overnight, in one of its largest recent combined aerial attacks.
ISW said the barrage may be a precursor to another massive strike, even as Ukraine hit Russian military assets in Rostov Oblast, including an Iskander missile system, on May 29-30.
Ukraine is also expanding strikes on Russian supply lines in occupied territory, with ISW saying the campaign now includes remote mining deeper behind the front.
The Kremlin is simultaneously trying to blunt Ukraine's growing deep strikes by creating a new oblast-level air defense coordination entity and pushing battlefield claims ISW says do not match reality.
ISW also warned Moscow is using a May 28-29 drone strike near Galati, Romania, to lay groundwork to deny blame for any future accidental or staged drone incident involving Moldova.
After a Russian drone hit Romania, is the Kremlin testing NATO's resolve or setting the stage for a false-flag attack on Moldova?
As Russia builds an air defense fortress around Moscow, are its frontlines and vital logistics becoming fatally exposed to Ukrainian drone strikes?
With Russia building a 'digital Iron Curtain,' is the Kremlin winning the information war at home or simply revealing its own instability?
Ukraine Repels Massive Russian Drone and Missile Attack: 279 of 290 Drones Shot Down, Counterstrikes Escalate
Overview
On May 29-30, 2026, Russian forces launched a major drone and missile attack on Ukraine, using a mix of ballistic and cruise missiles along with 290 drones from multiple locations. Ukraine’s air defense responded effectively, intercepting most of the missiles and drones, which helped reduce the potential damage. Despite this, some drones struck key infrastructure across several regions, showing the ongoing threat. The report highlights how Ukraine’s strong air defense and international support are crucial in countering these large-scale attacks and protecting critical services and civilians.