In the early hours of February 21, Russia launched a significant aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying one Iskander-M ballistic missile and 120 drones, including Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas models. Ukrainian Air Force officials reported that their defense systems successfully intercepted 106 of these drones.
The drones were reportedly launched from various locations, including Bryansk, Kursk, Orel, Shatalovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and the Crimean Peninsula. Approximately 80 of the drones were identified as Shahed models.
The Ukrainian defense forces employed a combination of aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups to counter the attack. According to preliminary data released by the Air Force, as of 08:30, the air defense systems had neutralized 106 enemy drones across northern, southern, and eastern regions of the country.
Additionally, the report indicated that a ballistic missile and 13 strike drones had impacted 11 locations, with debris from the intercepted missiles falling in eight areas. The Ukrainian Air Force noted that the assault was ongoing, with several drones still active in the airspace.
A recent Russian aerial attack on Ukraine involved a mix of ballistic missiles and drones, with Ukrainian defenses intercepting a significant majority. The ongoing threat from aerial assaults underscores the persistent conflict in the region.