Russia strikes Ukraine with 164 drones and ballistic missile overnight: Air defense's work reported
File photo: Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 150 Russian drones (Getty Images)
On the night of March 30, Russia attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M ballistic missile and more than 160 drones of various types. About 90 of them were Shahed drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Russian attack began at 6 p.m. Kyiv time, on March 29. with an Iskander-M ballistic missile from the temporarily occupied Crimea, as well as Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas strike drones and other types of unmanned aerial vehicles. About 90 of them were Shaheds.
The launches were carried out from seven directions—Bryansk, Orel, Kursk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Russia, as well as Chauda and Hvardiiske, temporarily occupied Crimea.
The Ukrainian Air Force, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled the air attack.
According to preliminary data as of 8:30 a.m., Ukrainian air defense forces shot down or neutralized 150 Russian drones.
At the same time, a Russian ballistic missile and 12 strike drones were recorded hitting seven locations, and debris from downed drones fell in two additional locations.
"Russian attack is ongoing; there are several drones in Ukrainian airspace. Follow safety rules!" the Ukrainian Air Force warns.
Russian drones
Russia has invested at least $3 billion in the mass production of attack drones, including the Shahe model. More than 900 companies are already involved in the drone industry.
According to analysts’ estimates, Russia is currently capable of producing about 30,000 attack drones per year based on the Iranian model, and this figure could double as early as 2026.
The European Union has also assessed the scale of Russia’s plans for this year. According to the European Commissioner, Russia may be ready to deploy between 7 and 9 million drones by 2026.
