Kyiv has reported that since the onset of the conflict nearly two years ago, Russia has initiated extensive aerial offensives against Ukraine, deploying approximately 7,400 missiles and 3,700 Shahed combat drones. The sheer magnitude of these attacks underscores Russia’s persistent aerial campaign.
During a televised statement, Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian air force, revealed that Ukrainian defense forces have successfully intercepted 1,600 missiles and downed 2,900 drones. “We are faced with a colossal adversary, and we are mounting a robust defense,” he declared.
Ihnat further explained the challenges in countering missile strikes, attributing the lower interception rate to the deployment of supersonic ballistic missiles by Russia, which are significantly more difficult to target. Additionally, he noted that Ukraine’s enhanced missile defense capabilities, including the receipt of advanced Patriot air defense systems from Western allies, came at a later stage in the conflict.
The ongoing support from Western nations has fortified Ukraine’s air defense, enabling the country to neutralize a greater number of incoming threats. Ihnat mentioned that between ten to fifteen regions are actively engaged in intercepting Shahed drones nightly.
Despite Russia’s stance that it targets only military objectives and has acknowledged strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities, it denies targeting civilians. However, civilian casualties have been extensively documented throughout the duration of the conflict.
The introduction of drone attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure began in September 2022, initially posing a significant challenge to Ukraine’s air defense systems due to the drones’ lower detectability compared to missiles. This prompted Ukrainian forces to make tactical adjustments.
The mass deployment of these drones presented Ukraine with a strategic conundrum, as the drones were relatively inexpensive to manufacture, making it economically impractical to shoot them down with costly defense missiles.
Ukraine has since adapted to these tactics, employing vehicles equipped with machine guns to take down the drones. Ihnat recalled the initial countermeasures against the drones, stating, “We were firing at them with anything at our disposal, from pistols to submachine guns. It quickly became apparent that the situation was complex, fraught with complications and errors. Preparation was key.”
Evidence from Western media sources and analysts, including satellite imagery, suggests that Russia has been establishing its own Shahed drone production facilities.
This report was compiled by journalists Max Hunder and Yuliia Dysa, with editing by Tom Balmforth.,
As of the date provided by Kyiv, the Russian military has launched a significant number of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during its conflict with Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, Russia has fired approximately 7,400 missiles of various types at Ukrainian targets. This extensive use of missile weaponry is indicative of the intense and high-tech nature of the conflict, with Russia leveraging its arsenal to inflict damage, target infrastructure, and attempt to weaken Ukrainian military resistance.
Additionally, Kyiv reports that Russia has deployed around 3,700 Shahed drones. The Shahed drones, which are Iranian-made UAVs, are known to be used for surveillance and combat purposes, capable of carrying explosive warheads for precision strikes. These drones have been a particular point of concern for Ukrainian forces as they pose a threat to both military assets and civilian infrastructure.
The use of such a large number of missiles and drones highlights the heavy reliance on long-distance and remote warfare tactics in the conflict. It also underscores the challenges faced by Ukrainian air defenses, which have been actively working to intercept and neutralize these threats. The international community has been closely monitoring the situation, with many countries providing Ukraine with defensive aid to help counter these attacks. The deployment of these weapons continues to have significant implications for the security situation in Ukraine and the wider region.
