Russian drone attack on Ukraine overnight leaves several strikes despite air defenses
Air defense forces shot down 21 drones (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
On the night of December 29, Russian forces carried out another attack on Ukraine using strike drones. Air defense forces destroyed most of the enemy drones, but several impacts were recorded, according to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Details of the attack
According to the military, from 9:00 p.m. on December 28, the enemy attacked Ukraine with 25 Shahed, Gerbera, and other types of drones. About 15 of them were Shahed drones.
The launches were carried out from the directions of Oryol and Millerovo in Russia, Hvardiiske in the temporarily occupied Crimea, and Donetsk, which is also temporarily occupied.
Air defense operations
Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine were involved in repelling the air attack.
As of 8:30 a.m., air defense forces shot down and suppressed 21 enemy UAVs in the north, south, and east of the country.
At the same time, impacts by four-strike drones were recorded at two locations.
"The attack is ongoing, with several enemy UAVs in the airspace. Follow safety rules!" the Air Force warned.
Shahed drones
Russia has invested at least $3 billion in deploying mass-produced strike drones, including Shahed-type drones. More than 900 companies are already involved in this sector.
According to analysts, Russia is currently capable of producing about 30,000 strike drones per year based on the Iranian model, and some experts predict that this figure could double by 2026.
On the night of December 28, operators of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out a series of strikes on Russian forces' facilities in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Among the targets hit was a warehouse containing Shahed-type drones.
