Ukraine faces smallest Russian drone attack in recent weeks, Air Force says
Head of the Communications Department of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ihnat (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainians expected a massive attack by Russia during the New Year holidays, especially on the night of January 1, as it does every year. However, at the end of December, Russia launched only drones, with the lowest number recorded on December 29, Yurii Ihnat, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force, said.
"We see the following trend: on the 29th, there were 25 drones, which was the smallest number during this period — that was December 29. Then the number increased somewhat to 62 across all of Ukraine. After that, there were 127, 200 drones, and today we have 116 UAVs that carried out an attack," he said.
Ihnat noted that all residents of Ukraine, as well as the military, expected large-scale attacks, which had been warned about by both the country's leadership and intelligence services.
Ihnat recalled that the aggressor state usually does this every year, specifically on New Year's night, when it strikes Ukraine with missiles and drones.
Attacks on Ukraine
On the night of Friday, January 2, Russia attacked Ukraine using 116 strike drones. Air defense forces shot down 86 enemy UAVs. Impacts by 27 strike drones were recorded at 23 locations, as well as the fall of downed drones (debris) at two locations.
In particular, on the night of January 2, Russian forces carried out a massive drone attack on Zaporizhzhia. Dozens of houses were damaged, and a shopping center caught fire.
On New Year's night, January 1, Russia attacked Ukraine using 205 strike drones. Air defense forces managed to shoot down most of the enemy UAVs. Impacts by 24 strike drones were recorded at 15 locations.
In particular, the Russians attacked energy facilities in the Volyn, Odesa, and Chernihiv regions. A large number of consumers were left without electricity.
In addition, on the evening of January 1, Russian forces carried out a strike with three drones on a hospital in Semenivka in the Chernihiv region.
On the evening of January 1, the Russians carried out another attack on Kherson. The enemy dropped explosives on two people; both were in moderate condition.
