In the early hours of May 3, Russian military forces conducted a significant assault on Ukraine, deploying an Iskander-M ballistic missile along with 268 strike drones, including models such as Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that their air defense systems successfully intercepted 249 of these drones during the engagement.
The attack originated from various locations within Russia, including Kursk and Shatalovo, as well as occupied territories in Crimea and Donetsk. According to the Ukrainian military, over 160 of the drones involved were identified as Shahed models.
By 08:00 local time, Ukrainian defense forces, utilizing aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups, had neutralized or suppressed the majority of the incoming drones across multiple regions of the country, including the north, south, west, and east.
Reports confirmed that the ballistic missile struck 15 locations, resulting in the downing of 19 drones, with debris falling in one area. The Ukrainian Air Force urged civilians to remain vigilant as the attack continued, indicating the presence of several hostile drones still in the air.
The Russian military's recent attack on Ukraine involved a combination of drones and a ballistic missile, prompting a robust response from Ukrainian air defense forces. The incident highlights ongoing military tensions in the region.