Russia launches record-breaking Shahed drone attack on Ukraine, air force says
Photo: Yurii Ihnat, head of the communications department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command (Getty Images)
On the night of July 4, Russia fired the largest number of drones in one attack against Ukraine, according to Yurii Ihnat, head of the communications department of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"It's another anti-record for us. The enemy is attacking with a large number of UAVs, 550 air targets in total. More than 330 of them are Shahed strike drones. This is the largest number the enemy has used in one attack," said Ihnat.
He noted that Kyiv was the main target of the enemy that night. According to Ihnat, almost all enemy air targets were flying in the direction of the Ukrainian capital.
"Today, the ballistic missiles that came in - Iskander-M or KN-23, as well as Kinzhal, unfortunately, were not intercepted. I would like to remind you that in June, out of 17, eight Kinzhal, more than 150 cruise missiles, and dozens of Iskander-M ballistic missiles were intercepted by air defense," Ihnat added.
Strike on Ukraine on July 4
According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia fired 539 drones and 11 missiles at Ukraine at night, namely:
- 1 Kh-47 M2 Kinzhal aerial ballistic missile;
- 6 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles;
- 4 Iskander-K cruise missiles.
Air defense forces neutralized 268 drones and two Iskander-K cruise missiles.
Hits were recorded in 8 locations (9 missiles and 63 UAVs), as well as the fall of downed aircraft (wreckage) in 33 locations.
The main direction of the strike was Kyiv. In several districts of the capital, the consequences of the attack were recorded, as well as damaged houses, the railroad, and other buildings. Read more about the attack in RBC-Ukraine's article.
After the Russian strike, the air quality in Kyiv has deteriorated, and the level of pollution is high.