In the early hours of May 29, Russian forces launched a significant aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying 232 strike drones, including the Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas models, alongside a ballistic missile identified as Iskander-M/S-400. Ukrainian air defense units reported successfully intercepting 217 of these drones.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Air Force detailed that this latest wave of attacks was countered by a combination of aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups. The coordinated defense efforts were critical in mitigating the impact of the assault.
As of 8:30 AM, preliminary reports indicated that the air defense systems had downed or suppressed 217 enemy drones across various regions, including the north, south, and east of Ukraine. The Air Force also noted that the attack resulted in the successful interception of a ballistic missile and 14 strike drones at 14 different locations, with debris falling in seven areas.
Despite the high number of interceptions, the Russian aerial assault continued, with several drones remaining active in Ukrainian airspace. The ongoing threat highlights the persistent challenges faced by Ukraine in maintaining its airspace security amid continued hostilities.
On May 29, Ukraine's air defense successfully intercepted a majority of a large-scale Russian drone attack, demonstrating the ongoing challenges in airspace security. The operation involved various military units and resulted in significant drone losses for Russia.