Daytime attack on Ukraine: Number of drones launched by Russia and air defense performance
Illustrative photo: air defense shot down 345 Russian drones (Getty Images)
On April 1, Ukraine’s air defense shot down and suppressed 345 enemy drones during a massive daytime attack. In total, the enemy launched more than 700 strike drones of various types over the course of the day, according to the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Details of the massive attack
According to the military, following overnight strikes, Russia carried out repeated daytime attacks. From 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM Kyiv time, 361 strike UAVs attacked Ukrainian territory, including about 250 Shahed-type drones.
Most of the drones entered from the southeastern direction and moved westward. In addition to Shaheds, the enemy also used Gerbera-type drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles.
Air defense results
Manned aviation, anti-aircraft drones, electronic warfare (EW) systems, and ground-based air defense units were involved in repelling the attack.
"As of 06:00 PM, the air defense shot down/suppressed 345 enemy UAVs," the Air Force stated.
The military added that despite the effective work of air defenders, 14 impacts were recorded, resulting in casualties. Combat operations are ongoing, as single targets remain in the airspace.
Consequences and casualties of the attack
The massive drone strike on April 1 caused significant consequences in several regions. The epicenter of the attack was western Ukraine, where strikes led to large-scale power outages and fires.
Tragic reports came from the Cherkasy region — in the Zolotonosha district, a Russian drone killed four people in an open area.
Nikopol also came under fire: the occupiers attacked the city with artillery and FPV drones. As a result of the shelling, 10 residents were injured, including one woman in serious condition.
For more details on the situation in the regions and power supply issues, see RBC-Ukraine’s material Western Ukraine bears brunt: Casualties, outages, and aftermath of Russia’s attack.
