In the early hours of February 19, Russian forces launched an aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying 35 strike drones, including models such as Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas. Ukrainian Air Force officials reported that their air defense systems successfully neutralized 29 of these drones during the engagement.
The Ukrainian military’s response involved various units, including aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups. This coordinated effort was crucial in mitigating the impact of the attack.
According to the Air Force, as of 8:30 AM, they had confirmed the destruction or suppression of 29 enemy drones across northern, southern, and eastern regions of Ukraine. Despite this success, the military noted that strikes had been recorded at four locations, indicating that some drones managed to reach their targets.
The ongoing aerial assault highlights the persistent threat posed by Russian drone operations, as several unmanned aerial vehicles remained active in Ukrainian airspace.
On February 19, Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted 29 out of 35 Russian drones in a nighttime assault. Despite this, some drones reached their targets, underscoring the ongoing threat from aerial attacks.