On the night of February 23, Russian forces launched a significant assault on Ukraine, deploying 127 drones and a ballistic missile. Ukrainian air defense systems successfully intercepted most of the incoming threats.
The attack involved one Iskander-M ballistic missile from the Rostov region of Russia and 126 strike drones, including types such as Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas, originating from six different directions. Approximately 80 of these drones were identified as Shahed, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Ukrainian defense forces employed a combination of aviation, anti-aircraft missile systems, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups to counter the assault. Preliminary reports indicated that by 08:00, air defense had neutralized or suppressed 105 enemy drones across northern, southern, and eastern regions of the country.
Additionally, impacts from the ballistic missile and 20 strike drones were recorded at 11 locations, with debris from a drone falling at one site. The Air Force urged the public to remain vigilant as the attack was ongoing, stating, “Several enemy drones remain in the airspace. Please adhere to safety regulations.”
Throughout the night, Russian forces primarily targeted eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, including the city of Zaporizhzhia and the surrounding Zaporizhia region. One civilian was reported killed, and another injured due to these strikes.
Odesa region also faced bombardment, with Russian forces attacking industrial, energy, and civilian infrastructure. The nighttime assault resulted in the deaths of a 20-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man, while three others aged between 23 and 45 sustained injuries, with two individuals in critical condition.
The recent nighttime attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine involved extensive use of drones and a ballistic missile, leading to multiple casualties and significant damage. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept a majority of the threats, but the strikes resulted in civilian fatalities and injuries across various regions.