Drones, ballistic missiles and Kinzhals hit Ukraine: How air defenses fought off Russia's night attack
File photo: Air defense forces shot down 96 targets (Getty Images)
On the night of June 21, Russia attacked Ukraine with two Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, two Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles, and 105 drones. Air defense forces managed to shoot down most of the enemy targets, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
In total, the enemy launched:
- Two Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles from Russia's Voronezh region;
- Two Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles (launched from the airspace over Russia's Ryazan region);
- 105 Shahed attack drones (including jet-powered versions), Gerbera, Italmas, Banderol loitering munitions, and Parodiya decoy drones from the directions of Oryol, Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as Kacha and Chauda in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
According to preliminary data as of 9:00 a.m., air defense units shot down or suppressed 96 enemy Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and other types of drones over northern, southern, eastern, and central Ukraine.
Ballistic missile impacts and strikes by six attack drones were recorded at six locations, while debris fell at five locations.
Information regarding the two Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles is being clarified.
"The attack is ongoing, and enemy drones remain in the airspace. Follow safety rules!" the Air Force warned.
Attack on Ukraine
Ukraine's Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov, said that Russia's recent strikes on Kyiv were an attempt to exert psychological pressure on Ukrainians.
He noted that this is the limit of Russia's capabilities, as the aggressor state spends weeks accumulating resources for such attacks.
Russia's last combined attack on Ukraine took place on the night of June 15. The enemy targeted Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that during that attack, air defense forces had the means to intercept ballistic missiles because an aid package for Patriot systems had been delivered.
Meanwhile, yesterday, June 20, Zelenskyy stated that Russia had already prepared for a new strike on Ukraine.
