Russia hits Ukraine with missiles and over 290 drones: How air defenses responded
Photo: Russia struck Ukraine with missiles and drones (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia carried out a large-scale airstrike on Ukraine, deploying more than 290 drones and numerous missiles. According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram, Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted many of the incoming targets.
During the night of May 25, the enemy launched a massive, combined aerial attack on Ukraine, deploying a total of 367 aerial weapons.
The following were used in the attack:
- 9 Iskander-M-KN-23 ballistic missiles from Russia’s Kursk region;
- 55 Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles launched from Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers, with launches from the Saratov region and the Black Sea;
- 1 Kh-22 missile from a Tu-22M3 over the Black Sea;
- 4 Kh-59/69 guided missiles from tactical aircraft coming from the north;
- 298 Shahed and other types of attack UAVs launched from Bryansk, Millerovo, Kursk, Oryol, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.
Air defense was provided by aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups.
As of 9:00 a.m. on May 25, air defense forces shot down 45 Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles; 2 Kh-59/69 missiles were lost from radar tracking.
266 enemy drones were also neutralized — 139 destroyed by fire and 127 suppressed by electronic warfare systems.
According to the Air Force, most regions of Ukraine were affected by the enemy attack.
Strikes by enemy air weapons were recorded in 22 locations, and debris from downed cruise missiles and UAVs fell in 15 more.
Attack on Ukraine
During the night of May 25, Russian forces launched missile strikes from strategic bombers toward Ukraine. At the same time, the country was attacked by drones.
Notably, on the evening of May 24, Russian forces launched kamikaze drones toward Ukraine. Enemy UAVs entered Ukrainian airspace from the north and south. Air defense activity was reported in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Explosions were also heard in Odesa during the drone attack, and the operation of air defense systems was reported in the city.
A series of explosions occurred in Kyiv as a result of a massive enemy drone strike. A five-story residential building in the Holosiivskyi district was damaged, and a fire broke out.
In Mykolaiv, a series of explosions was also heard during a nighttime kamikaze drone attack. Explosions occurred in Kharkiv as well, where a fire broke out in the city.
