In the early hours of April 17, the Russian military launched a significant aerial assault on Ukraine, employing one Iskander-M ballistic missile and 172 strike drones, including models such as Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas. Ukrainian Air Force officials reported that their air defense systems successfully intercepted 147 of these drones.
The attack commenced at approximately 18:00 on April 16, with the missile and drones being deployed from various locations, including Crimea and several Russian regions such as Bryansk, Kursk, and Orel. According to the report, around 120 of the drones were identified as Shahed models.
By 08:00, Ukrainian defense forces, which included aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups, had effectively neutralized or suppressed the majority of the incoming drones across northern, southern, and eastern Ukraine.
Despite the defensive efforts, there were confirmed impacts from the ballistic missile and 20 drones across eight locations, with debris reported in four areas. Ukrainian authorities urged citizens to adhere to safety protocols amid ongoing threats in the airspace.
“The attack continues, and several enemy drones remain in the airspace. Please follow safety guidelines,” the statement advised.
A coordinated Russian aerial assault on Ukraine involved a ballistic missile and numerous drones, with Ukrainian forces successfully intercepting the majority. Despite these efforts, some impacts were reported across multiple locations.