Air defense success: Ukraine intercepts 57,000+ Russian targets in April, General Staff says
The General Staff revealed Ukraine's air defense performance (photo: Getty Images)
Air defenses of Ukraine destroyed more than 57,000 airborne targets launched by Russia in April 2026, ranging from ballistic missiles to strike drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Over the course of April, air defense units engaged targets of all types—from cruise missiles to small reconnaissance drones.
Targets destroyed in April
The intercepted targets include:
- 69 Kh-101 cruise missiles
- 8 Kalibr cruise missiles
- 5 Iskander-K cruise missiles
- 4 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided aerial missiles
- 7 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles
- 4,861 Shahed attack drones
- 1,065 reconnaissance drones
- 51,110 drones of other types.
Ukraine's air defense forces destroyed more than 57,000 Russian targets in April pic.twitter.com/tZWtduCN8m
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) May 2, 2026
In April, the aviation of Ukraine's Air Force carried out 831 sorties, including:
- 550+ as air defense missions
- Around 200 strike missions and close air support for ground forces.
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to attack Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. On May 2, Kharkiv came under a series of drone strikes starting in the morning, damaging residential buildings, a car dealership, and several gas stations across different districts of the city.
At least four people were injured or suffered acute stress reactions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said intelligence services had detected unusual activity on the Belarusian side of the border. However, he noted that the situation is under control and that Ukraine is prepared to respond if necessary.
