Ukraine’s Air Force reported successfully repelling a large-scale Russian aerial assault that started in the early hours of 13 October. The attack involved a combination of ballistic missiles, guided aviation missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting multiple Ukrainian regions.
According to the Air Force statement, Russian forces launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Russia’s Kursk Oblast and occupied Crimea, targeting Poltava and Odesa oblasts. Additionally, two Kh-59 guided aviation missiles were fired at Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts from the airspace of Kursk Oblast.
The most significant component of the assault were 68 “attack drones,” reportedly launched from Kursk and Orel in Russia. Ukrainian air defenses, including anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defense Forces, were engaged to counter the attack.
The Air Force reported that 31 Russian drones were shot down over Kyiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Cherkasy oblasts. Furthermore, 36 Russian drones were reportedly “locationally lost” in various regions of Ukraine, i.e., disappeared from radars, possibly crashing. The Air Force claims it’s “likely due to active electronic warfare countermeasures.”
The report implies that one drone and all four missiles could have reached their targets.
As of 8:51, the Air Force reported that one drone remained airborne. About 30 minutes later, Ukrainian airspace monitoring channels said there was no Shahed threat anymore.
Read the follow-up article:
Related:
- Satellite imagery backs Ukrainian claims of successful strike on Russian drone facility
- AP: Russia dupes African women into making drones for its war in Ukraine
- Fires erupt in Chornomorsk apartment building following Russian drone attack
- Russians launch over 90 aerial weapons at Ukraine, two missiles and 56 drones downed
- Ukraine repels massive Russian drone attack, shoots down 78 Shaheds