Russia unleashes 521 missiles and drones on Ukraine in 2026’s largest attack, Zircon anti-ship missiles strain defenses

Russia launched its largest attack of 2026 against Ukraine overnight on 2-3 February. Moscow fired 521 missiles and drones in a 13-hour assault. The barrage included four Zircon hypersonic missiles—weapons originally built to destroy American aircraft carriers. Strikes hit energy infrastructure across five oblasts, Ukraine's Air Force reported.

The scale of this attack lays bare a grim reality for Ukraine this winter. Russia's missiles are getting faster and smarter. Meanwhile, Patriot systems remain Ukraine's only defense against ballistic threats—and there aren't enough of them.

As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on 20 January, Russia has "significantly ramped up its use of ballistic missiles" this winter.

"For ballistic missiles, aside from PAC-3—the missiles for Patriot systems—nothing else works."

What got through in Russia's missile attack on Ukraine

Ukrainian air defenses shot down or jammed 450 of the 521 incoming weapons. That included 38 missiles and 412 drones. Among them were 4 Zircon or Onyx missiles (the Air Force couldn't confirm which type), 11 of 32 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and 20 of 28 cruise missiles.

However, 27 missiles and 31 drones found their targets across 27 locations. President Zelenskyy reported nine people injured. Residential buildings in Kyiv were damaged, including a kindergarten. Thermal power plants were struck in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro.

Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said Russians targeted combined heat and power plants running in district heating mode. These are the facilities keeping Ukrainians warm in subzero temperatures.

From ship-killer to city-killer

The Zircon's appearance is particularly telling. Russia built this hypersonic missile to threaten US Navy carrier groups. Moscow claims speeds of Mach 9 and a range over 1,000 kilometers. Western analysts doubt those figures. Still, the weapon poses a serious threat.

Now Moscow fires these ship-killers at apartment buildings and heating plants.

Since the full-scale invasion began, Russia has increasingly turned Zircon missiles against land targets. The missiles were originally designed for ships and submarines. British intelligence has assessed that their speed and maneuverability pose "a significant challenge to Ukrainian air defense."

Missiles meant to sink American warships are now being used to kill Ukrainian civilians trying to stay warm.

Ukraine's Patriot gap

Russia's growing reliance on ballistic missiles has exposed a critical weakness. The US Defense Intelligence Agency has confirmed that upgraded Russian missiles with better maneuvering capabilities strain Ukraine's Patriot systems. Defenders must now track unpredictable flight paths and decoys.

Ukraine operates roughly eight Patriot batteries. Two more were deployed in January under new agreements with Germany. But Zelenskyy has said Ukraine needs 25 Patriots for adequate coverage. Even with recent deliveries, the country falls far short.

Zelenskyy stressed that the US-led PURL initiative—which allows Ukraine and partners to jointly finance fast-tracked purchases of American weapons—is critical for timely Patriot missile deliveries this winter.

The overnight barrage also included seven supersonic Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles from Tu-22M3 bombers. Additionally, Russia launched 450 Shahed-type drones. These cheap weapons drain air defenses and provide cover for deadlier missiles.

What Russia's 2026 attacks mean for Ukraine

This attack—2026's largest so far—shows Russia's air campaign against Ukrainian civilians is intensifying. In January alone, Moscow launched over 6,000 drones, 5,500 guided bombs, and 158 missiles at Ukraine.

The use of Zircon missiles confirms the Kremlin will spend its most advanced weapons on terror strikes. Russia appears unwilling to save them for their intended purpose: sinking NATO warships.

For Ukraine, the math is brutal. Every ballistic missile that slips through costs lives, power, and heat in the dead of winter.