In the early hours of April 6, 2024, Russian forces launched a coordinated attack on Ukrainian territory, employing a combination of 32 “Shahed” type strike drones and six missiles of various types. The Ukrainian Air Forces reported that air defense systems successfully intercepted two Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles, one “Kalibr” cruise missile, and 28 “Shahed-131/136” strike drones.
The attack originated from multiple locations, with three S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles fired from the Belgorod region, two Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from strategic aviation aircraft in the Saratov region, and one “Kalibr” cruise missile from the Black Sea.
Despite the successful interception of the majority of the projectiles, some managed to cause damage on the ground. In the Kherson Oblast, an agricultural enterprise was hit, and in Zaporizhzhia, industrial buildings were damaged. There were no reported casualties in these incidents.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine’s southern region, along with the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, Ivan Fedorov, provided further details on the impact. In Zaporizhzhia, production facilities were damaged, and a fire broke out, although preliminary reports suggest no injuries. Fedorov also mentioned that a community center in Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia, known for aiding tens of thousands of displaced people from the occupied territories, was damaged.
The intense air defense operation lasted approximately five hours in the operational zone of the south. The enemy targeted the region with “Shahed-131/136” drones from the south, with Ukrainian forces successfully destroying 14 drones: seven in the Kherson Oblast, three each in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, and one in the Mykolayiv Oblast.
In response to the Russian missile strike on Ukrainian territory, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces raised its aviation. The Polish military warned of potential noise in the southeastern part of the country due to the heightened activity of Russian long-range aviation, which was associated with the missile strikes on Ukraine. Poland has these procedures to ensure the safety of its airspace.
On March 24, 2024, during another Russian air attack on Ukraine, a cruise missile entered Polish airspace over the village of Osierdów in the Lublin Voivodeship and remained there for 39 seconds. Military radar systems monitored the missile throughout its flight. The missile was not destroyed and returned back to Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces have been actively countering Russian aerial attacks. On November 25, 2023, the Russian army launched a record number of drones, primarily targeting Kyiv. Ukrainian forces successfully downed 74 of the 75 Shahed drones deployed in this attack.
Ukrainian forces have been actively countering Russian aerial attacks. On November 25, 2023, the Russian army launched a record number of drones, primarily targeting Kyiv. Ukrainian forces successfully downed 74 of the 75 Shahed drones deployed in this attack. During the New Year’s holiday, Russia attacked Ukraine with 170 Shahed kamikaze drones and various missiles. Ukraine intercepted a record 72 of 99 missiles, including all 10 Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” aeroballistic missiles. Recently, on March 18, 2024, Ukrainian forces shot down 17 of 22 Shahed-type explosive UAVs launched by Russian troops, showcasing their ability to defend against aerial threats in central and western regions of Ukraine
Ukrainian forces have also been proactive in targeting Russian assets using long-range drones. They conducted successful strikes against Russian military assets, such as airfields, factories, and energy infrastructure, including refineries and fuel depots, with drones reaching targets up to 900 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.
Related:
- Ukraine identifies eight foreign-made components in Russian Shahed drones
- Ukraine dismisses reports of thermobaric warheads on upgraded Shahed-136 explosive drones
- Russia deploys carbon-coated Shahed drones in nighttime attack on Ukraine
- Russia has likely started producing its domestic version of Shahed drones
- Russian Shahed drones damage agricultural enterprises in Odesa Oblast as Ukraine downs 14/16 UAVs
