In the early hours of March 19, Russia launched an assault on Ukraine involving 133 strike drones, including models such as Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas. Ukrainian Air Force officials reported that their air defense systems successfully intercepted 109 of these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The Ukrainian defense response included aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare divisions, and mobile fire groups. The military noted that the drones were targeted across various regions of the country, including the north, south, west, and east.
As of 8:00 AM, preliminary reports indicated that 109 enemy drones had been shot down or suppressed. However, the attack resulted in 20 drones striking 11 locations, with debris falling in seven areas. The threat from Russian drones persists, as several remain active in Ukrainian airspace.
Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted a significant number of Russian drones during a nighttime assault, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region. Despite the high interception rate, some drones managed to hit various locations, indicating the challenges faced by Ukrainian defenses.