On the night of May 24, Ukrainian air defense reported one of the most extensive aerial assaults since the onset of the conflict, with Russian forces launching nearly 700 attack drones and missiles, primarily targeting Kyiv.
The assault began around 6:00 PM on May 23, involving a combination of various missile types and strike drones. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, a total of 690 aerial attack units were identified, comprising 90 missiles and 600 drones.
“The air defense forces recorded 690 aerial attack units — 90 missiles and 600 drones of various types,” the Air Force stated.
The specifics of the attack included:
- One medium-range ballistic missile (launched from Kapustin Yar, Astrakhan region, Russia);
- Two air-launched Kinzhal missiles (launched from Lipetsk region, Russia);
- Three anti-ship Zircon missiles (launched from occupied Crimea and Kursk region, Russia);
- Thirty Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles (launched from Bryansk, Kursk, and occupied Crimea);
- Fifty-four cruise missiles (types X-101/Iskander-K/Caliber, launched from Vologda, Kursk, and the Black Sea);
- 600 strike drones, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and loitering munitions known as Banderolet, as well as imitation drones labeled as Parody (launched from various locations in Russia and occupied Crimea).
Ukrainian air defense forces coordinated their response using aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and mobile fire groups. By 9:30 AM, preliminary reports indicated that 604 aerial targets had been intercepted, including 55 missiles and 549 drones. Additionally, 19 missiles likely failed to reach their intended targets, although this information is still being verified.
The attack resulted in 16 confirmed missile hits and 51 drone strikes across 54 locations, with debris from intercepted drones found at an additional 23 sites.
“The attack continues! There are several strike drones in the airspace over Ukraine. Do not ignore the alarms,” the Air Force warned.
Earlier in the day, Yuriy Ihnat, the head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Force, reported that a missile of the Oreshnik type struck near Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region, launched from the Kapustin Yar testing ground.
On May 24, Ukraine faced a significant aerial assault involving nearly 700 attack drones and missiles, primarily targeting Kyiv. Ukrainian air defense managed to intercept a large number of these threats, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict.