Air defence forces destroyed 632 aerial targets during Russia’s large-scale attack on Ukraine
From 18:00 on 14 June, Russian forces launched a massive combined attack on Ukraine, using attack drones as well as various types of air- and ground-launched missiles.
Kyiv was the main target of the attack. Dnipro and Kharkiv were also hit by missile strikes.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Air Defence Forces recorded 681 air attack vehicles. These included 70 missiles and 611 drones.
In particular, Russian forces deployed six 3M22 ‘Zircon’ anti-ship missiles, 34 Iskander-M or S-400 ballistic missiles, as well as 30 Kh-101 or Iskander-K cruise missiles.
In addition, 611 attack drones of the Shahed, Gerbera and Italmas types, Banderol loitering munitions, and Parodia-type decoy drones were recorded. The launches were carried out from the Bryansk, Kursk and Oryol regions, the Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk districts, as well as from the temporarily occupied Crimea.
Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned aerial vehicle units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defence Forces were deployed to repel the attack.
As of 08:00, air defence forces had, according to preliminary data, neutralised 632 aerial targets. These included five 3M22 ‘Zircon’ missiles, 15 Iskander-M or S-400 ballistic missiles, 30 Kh-101 or Iskander-K cruise missiles, as well as 582 drones.
Yuriy Ignat, Head of Communications for the Ukrainian Air Force, stated that during the night-time attack on Kyiv, the Patriot system likely shot down a Russian ‘Zircon’ missile.
“Another massive barrage on Kyiv – one of the largest in terms of the number of projectiles. Air defence is deploying the Patriot! Due to the enemy’s massive attack, unfortunately, there is destruction, casualties and injuries; the Lavra is on fire. Ukrainians are photographing a fragment of the Patriot missile, which likely shot down a Russian ‘Zircon’ tonight, and, without even realising whose it is, are posting this photo online,” - Ignat noted.
He also published screenshots from Russian Telegram channels and stated that the enemy is using Ukrainian content to spread its own narratives and propaganda.
According to preliminary information from the Air Force, as of 08:00, 20 ballistic missiles and 27 attack drones had been recorded hitting 42 locations. There were also reports of debris from downed drones falling at 12 locations.
Several attack drones remained in Ukrainian airspace at that time.
