100 Percent of Russian Drones Shot Down in 'Massive' Attack, Ukraine Says

Ukraine has successfully thwarted a major attack on Kyiv, further demonstrating the nation's ability to protect its cities from Russian attacks.

The assault took place in the early hours of Wednesday, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, and involved the use of guided air missiles and 89 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs aimed at the capital and its surrounding regions. It was launched from various locations in the west of Russia and near the Sea of Azov.

"This is one of the most massive attacks by Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs. The enemy used the same number of Shahed drones on New Year's Eve, January 1, 2024," the Air Force wrote on social media platform Telegram. "As then, today Ukrainian air defense withstood and repelled a massive attack by enemy drones. Of the 89 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs detected by the radar units of the Air Force, all 89 were shot down."

Using the full weight of Ukraine's missile defense capabilities, the country was also able to down a KH-59 guided air missile aimed at the Mykolaiv oblast south of Kyiv.

Air Force Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk thanked "all the defenders of the sky for their combat work and eloquent result."

On Telegram, Kyiv City Military Administration Chief Serhiy Popko said: "Under the conditions of such a dense and massive air attack, our forces and means of air defense worked perfectly," and added that there were no casualties as a result of the assault.

Unmanned aerial vehicles have played a major role in the ongoing fight over Ukraine's skies, and Russia has combined their use with traditional assaults on the country in the years since the invasion began.

The latest barrage came only two days after a similar assault, during which nine out of the 10 Shahed drones launched by Russia were destroyed in the Dnipro, Kherson and Kirovohrad regions.

Kyiv has attempted to respond in kind to the attacks on its soil, targeting critical Russian energy infrastructure and military assets across the country.

Earlier in July, Russian officials said that at least 75 Ukrainian drones had targeted several Russian regions, including one of the country's largest oil refineries.

On Sunday, the Ukrainian military said its drones had struck the Polyova oil depot in the Kursk oblast, which the military said had resulted in "powerful explosions" and fires.

A day earlier, reports emerged that Ukrainian drones had attacked a Russian military airfield in Dyagilevo, around 120 miles south of Moscow. The air base serves as a training hub for Russian bomber regiments.

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