Russia launches massive overnight attack on Ukraine with 74 missiles and 496 drones
Russian forces attacked Ukraine overnight into Thursday with 74 missiles and 496 drones of various types, with Kyiv as the main target, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.
The attack was notable for the simultaneous use of various air attack means from different directions, along with a large number of ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones.
The detected weapons included four 3M22 Zircon anti-ship missiles, 24 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, 34 Kh-101 cruise missiles, eight Kalibr cruise missiles, four Kh-59/69 guided air missiles, and 496 strike drones of types, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, Banderol, and Parodia imitators.
Ukrainian air defenses — including aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, drone systems and mobile fire groups — repelled the attack.
As of 9 a.m., preliminary data showed 524 targets were shot down or suppressed, including 48 missiles and 476 drones of various types.
25 ballistic missiles and 12 strike drones hit 33 locations, while debris from downed targets fell at 18 other sites. Information on several missiles is being clarified. The attack is ongoing, with several strike drones still in Ukrainian airspace.
In Kyiv, damage was recorded in all districts. As of the latest reports, at least 13 people were killed and 86 injured, including children.
The day before, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a possible new large-scale Russian strike based on intelligence and urged residents to be especially careful and use shelters. He cut short a visit to Ireland and returned to Ukraine.