Over 270 drones: Russia’s record attack on Ukraine and how air defenses responded
Photo: Air defense forces shot down 88 drones, another 128 did not reach their targets (Getty Images)
On the night of May 18, Russia launched a record drone attack on Ukraine, deploying 273 drones, including Shahed strike drones and decoys, according to the Ukrainian Air Forces.
According to the Air Forces, the enemy attacked from five directions: Bryansk, Kursk, Oryol regions, as well as from the Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk areas.
Ukraine’s air defense was provided by surface-to-air missile troops, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare units.
As of the morning of May 18, 88 strike drones were shot down, and another 128 decoy drones were lost due to losing location, meaning they did not reach their targets and caused no damage.
One enemy drone remains in the air, and combat operations are ongoing.
The attack affected Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk regions.
This attack set a record for the number of drones Russia launched against Ukraine in one night. The previous record was 267 drones on February 23, 2025.
The invaders also used three ballistic missiles — Iskander-M and KN-23 — launched from Crimea. This was the largest drone attack Russia has carried out against Ukraine in a single strike.
Drone attack on Ukraine by Russia
On the night of May 18, Russian forces attacked Kyiv region with drones. The strike caused casualties and damage to buildings.
According to Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the Kyiv regional military administration, a woman died from her injuries in the Obukhivskyi district. A 61-year-old man, a 59-year-old woman, and a 4-year-old child were also injured and hospitalized. Their condition is moderate, and they are receiving medical care.
During the attack, a private house was partially destroyed, and windows in a nearby apartment building were damaged.
