Ukraine surpasses Russia in scale of daily drone attacks for first time
Illustrative photo: The drone attack on Moscow and Russia set a new record (facebook.com/bsp.donbas)
Ukraine set a new record on June 18 for the number of drones launched in a single day, surpassing not only its previous maximum but also the largest daily Russian attack throughout the entire war, according to the Russian outlet Agentstvo.Novosti.
According to Russia's Ministry of Defense, Russian air defense systems shot down 992 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones, four long-range cruise missiles, and 10 guided aerial bombs over the course of the day.
At the same time, the ministry reports only the number of drones it claims were intercepted, meaning the actual number of drones launched could have been even higher.
Records
Ukraine's previous record was set on June 6, when Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed that its air defenses had shot down 911 drones, 13 aerial bombs, and four HIMARS rockets.
The largest Russian attack on Ukraine during the war took place on March 24, when Russia launched 948 drones in a single day.
This means that on June 18, Ukraine surpassed both figures.
Turning point in 2026
According to Russian media reports, during the first years of the full-scale war, Ukraine's Armed Forces were unable to match Russia in the intensity of long-range drone strikes. The situation changed this year:
- In March, Ukraine launched more drones than Russia for the first time on a monthly basis: 7,551 compared to 6,462.
- In April, Russia regained the lead: 6,583 compared to 4,801.
- In May, Ukraine moved ahead again: 8,973 compared to 8,150.
The new record was set on the night when Moscow came under the largest drone attack of the war.
For the second time in a week, the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya was hit. All airports in the Russian capital temporarily suspended operations, and more than 500 flights were canceled.
Ukraine's General Staff confirmed strikes on the Moscow Oil Refinery, an oil depot in Russia's Rostov region, and several other facilities.
