On the night of June 21, starting from 6 PM on June 20, Russian military forces conducted a significant assault on Ukraine, deploying two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and two Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles from the Voronezh and Ryazan regions, respectively. The attack also included the use of 105 strike drones, as reported by the Ukrainian Air Force.
The drones involved in the assault included various types such as Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and loitering munitions known as Banderolet, alongside imitation drones labeled as Parody. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were launched from several locations in Russia, including Oryol, Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as from the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea, specifically from Kacha and Chauda.
In response to the aerial assault, Ukrainian defense forces deployed their aviation, anti-aircraft missile systems, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups. Preliminary reports indicated that by 9 AM, Ukraine’s air defense successfully intercepted or suppressed 96 UAVs of various types, including Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas. The air defense operations took place across multiple regions, including the north, south, east, and central parts of Ukraine.
Despite these defensive measures, the attack resulted in the impact of ballistic missiles and six strike drones at six different locations. Additionally, debris from the intercepted missiles fell in five separate areas.
The recent coordinated attack by Russian forces on Ukraine involved a combination of ballistic missiles and numerous drones, highlighting ongoing military tensions. Ukrainian defense forces effectively countered a significant portion of the assault, though some impacts were reported across various locations.