Russia launches 100+ missiles and drones at Ukraine: How air defense responded
Photo: Air defense shot down 42 drones and 4 missiles during the Russian attack on Ukraine on October 19 (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 100 missiles and drones. Air defense forces shot down 42 drones and 4 missiles, according to the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian Air Force.
In the early hours of October 19, Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine using guided missiles (launched from the Black Sea region), Shahed drones, and unidentified UAVs (originating from Kursk, Yeisk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk), according to the statement.
The Ukrainian Air Force’s radar units tracked and monitored over 100 aerial targets, including 98 enemy drones and six guided Kh-59/69 missiles.
Air defense response
The attack was countered by aviation, surface-to-air missile systems, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups from the Ukrainian Air Force and Defense Forces.
“As of 12:00, four Kh-59/69 missiles were shot down. Additionally, 42 enemy drones have been confirmed neutralized across Odesa, Sumy, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Chernihiv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions,” the military reported.
Furthermore, 46 Russian drones are currently unaccounted for, with ongoing efforts to confirm whether they were downed or crashed.
Russia’s attack across Ukraine
Multiple air raid alerts were issued across Ukraine. The latest alert, around 7:00 a.m., was due to missile threats, with explosions reported in Cherkasy.
In Kyiv, Russian forces attempted to attack using drones. All targets were intercepted, though some damage was reported. One woman was injured during the attack.
Meanwhile, Russia also targeted the city of Shostka in the Sumy region overnight, damaging energy and infrastructure facilities, leaving eight people injured and causing power outages. Among the damaged sites was a fire station, with several rescue workers injured in the attack.
