Russia used full range of weapons in overnight attack on Ukraine, Air Force says
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat (photo: Getty Images)
Russia overnight carried out one of the largest attacks on Ukraine during the full-scale war, using the full range of available weapons. The main direction of strike was Kyiv, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said.
"The enemy has been attacking with large numbers for several days already. There was much talk about this beforehand, after the so-called ceasefire. They apparently used it to accumulate weapons and strike with them without stopping," Ihnat said.
He noted that there was a short pause after yesterday evening's strike, but it was too short for rest and regrouping of personnel and equipment.
However, the Air Force has already worked in such a mode many times, understanding that the enemy gives no respite.
"Therefore, physical fatigue is taking its toll, as well as the overload of equipment and expenditure of certain ammunition. Obviously, all this requires time. However, a large number of targets were shot down tonight. We are now experiencing the biggest strikes since the start of the full-scale invasion, with the use of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones of various types," the spokesman added.
According to him, today, in addition to Gerbera, Italmas, and Shahed drones, Russians also use jet-powered UAVs and Banderol loitering munitions. In other words, the full spectrum of weapons they have.
"The specific nature of the strike is clear. We see destruction of civilian houses and casualties, unfortunately, in the capital. Capital itself became the target of a strike. The enemy deliberately wants to hit the heart of the country, achieve some of its own goals also in the information sphere, meaning to show they are not going to make concessions and so on," Ihnat noted.
At the same time, he stressed that today the Defense Forces work to the maximum of their capabilities.
"Of course, we would like to shoot down more targets, but 693 targets were shot down/suppressed. Among them were 29 Kh-101 cruise missiles, as well as 12 ballistic missiles out of 18. This is a fairly high interception rate. Unfortunately, 6 missiles could not be intercepted by the Patriot system," the spokesman said.
According to him, air defense work today is extremely intense.
"If yesterday there were difficult weather conditions and a huge number of drones from different directions, then today all this quantity flew to one place, and unfortunately, it is impossible to shoot down such a large number with a limited number of means. The enemy also knows very well what problem our air defense has today. Therefore, we must understand that air defense is doing everything possible to destroy as many as possible, but unfortunately, it is impossible to shoot down everything," Ihnat explained.
At the same time, he noted that very serious work is being carried out at the diplomatic level regarding the supply of anti-missile systems.
"Today, the Patriot system was working. A certain number of missiles were spent. Obviously, they need to be replenished to protect against the next ballistic attack. We also need ground-based systems. This work is ongoing constantly. We cannot disclose what stock we currently have. But there is always a need. Therefore, we expect our partners to continue supplying anti-ballistic missiles, because we need something to defend ourselves with," the spokesman added.
Massive attack on Ukraine
Russia, on the night of May 14, immediately after yesterday's massive attack with nearly 800 drones, launched a new combined strike on Ukraine using strike drones, cruise missiles, ballistic, and aeroballistic missiles. The main target of the strike was Kyiv.
According to the Air Force, Russian troops launched 56 missiles and 675 drones at Ukraine overnight.
In particular, the rescue operation continues in Kyiv at the site of a Russian drone strike on a residential nine-story building — the entrance section of the building was destroyed. One person was killed. People may still be under rubble.
More than 30 injured people are already known.
In addition, damage was recorded at 20 locations, including residential buildings, a school, a veterinary clinic, and other purely civilian infrastructure.
There is also destruction in the Kyiv region, similar to strikes targeting energy infrastructure in Kremenchuk, as well as port and residential development in Chornomorsk.
