Russia launched 267 drones against Ukraine on Sunday night (23), in the largest air strike recorded since the beginning of the war, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
The attack took place on the eve of the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. According to a statement published on the Telegram social network, the offensive involved Shahed attack drones and copycat drones, launched from several locations in Russia and Crimea, including Orel, Bryansk, Kursk, Shatalovo, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Chauda. In addition, three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles were launched from Crimea.
The drones struck the Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Poltava, Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia regions. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, air defense forces responded to the attack with aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units and mobile combat groups.
As of this morning (24), local time, the downing of 138 Shahed drones and other attack models has been confirmed. The statement also reported that 119 imitator drones were neutralized, with three headed to Belarus and one to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published a statement on the X platform about the attack, saying that the Ukrainian people continue to “resist aerial terror.” He called it “the largest attack since Iranian drones began targeting Ukrainian cities and villages.”
Zelenskyy thanked the defense forces that fought back the attacks and the professionals involved in the rescue and care of the victims. “The war continues,” he said. “Everyone who can help in air defense must work to strengthen the protection of human life. We must do everything possible to bring lasting peace to Ukraine.”
He also reported that in the week before the attack, about 1.150 attack drones, more than 1.400 guided aerial bombs and 35 missiles of different types were launched in Ukraine.
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