Russia launches 143 aerial weapons at Ukraine overnight; no ballistic missiles intercepted
Russia attacked Ukraine with 143 aerial weapons during the massive overnight strike, including 24 ballistic missiles, while Ukrainian air defenses shot down 98 drones but failed to intercept any of the ballistic missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.
According to the military, Russian forces launched:
- four Zircon/Oniks anti-ship missiles from Russia’s Kursk and Rostov oblasts;
- 24 Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk oblasts;
- 115 strike drones, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and Parodiya types.
The Air Force said the main target of the attack was Kyiv Oblast, where 14 people were killed and at least 22 were injured.
Ukrainian air defenses neutralized 98 drones, but no ballistic missiles were intercepted.
After the previous large-scale attack, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s air defense units lacked interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, which was why only one ballistic missile was brought down then.
“It is very important that our partners understand that delays in supplying them, or an unwillingness to provide anti-ballistic systems, lead directly to such horrific casualties and destruction. Partners who are not yet ready to play a more active role in supplying interceptors can help by implementing new sanctions,” Zelenskyy wrote.
At the same time, President Donald Trump said the United States had not agreed to give Ukraine a license to produce missiles for Patriot systems, arguing that such technology is “a hard thing to give away” and could “someday turn on you.”