Russia launches over 70 UAVs at Ukraine, air defense downs 47
Photo: Russia launched more than 70 drones against Ukraine overnight (Getty Images)
From 10 a.m. on December 22 to 9 a.m. on December 23, Russia launched 72 drones, including Shahed and other types, against Ukraine. Air defense forces managed to destroy 47 enemy targets, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.
The drones were launched from the directions of Russia's Bryansk and Oryol regions.
The following forces participated in repelling the attack:
- Anti-aircraft missile units,
- Electronic warfare units,
- Mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine.
As of 9 a.m., 47 UAVs were confirmed shot down over the Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, and Odesa regions.
In addition, 25 enemy decoy drones were lost locally without causing any adverse effects.
"In the Khmelnytskyi and Kyiv regions, private enterprises and residential buildings were damaged due to the Russian attack. Preliminary reports indicate no casualties, and assistance is being provided to the affected," the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated.
Shelling of Ukraine
During the war, Russia has regularly carried out massive strikes on Ukrainian territory using a wide arsenal of weapons, including missiles, artillery, kamikaze drones, and aviation. The primary targets are critical infrastructure, energy facilities, and densely populated areas, posing a severe threat to civilians. These attacks often occur at night.
On the night of December 22, Russia attacked Ukraine with ballistics and 103 drones. Air defense forces managed to destroy 52 combat UAVs during this attack, while another 44 enemy decoy drones were lost locally.
