Russia launched 426 aerial weapons against Ukrainian critical infrastructure during the night of 23–24 March, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, which published a breakdown on social media. The attack combined ballistic and cruise missiles with a large drone salvo.
The Air Force recorded the following projectiles: seven Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles launched from Kursk oblast and Russian-occupied Donetsk oblast; 18 Kh-101 cruise missiles fired from aircraft over the Caspian Sea; five Iskander-K cruise missiles from Bryansk oblast; and four Kh-59/69/31 guided air-launched missiles from Kursk oblast and occupied Donetsk.
The bulk of the attack — 392 projectiles — consisted of Shahed, Herber, Italmas, and other types of strike drones, launched from Bryansk, Kursk, Orel, Shatalovo, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as from Hvardiyske in Russian-occupied Crimea. Of those, approximately 250 were Shaheds, the Air Force reported.
What was intercepted — and what was not
By 09:00, air defense forces had downed or suppressed 390 of the 426 projectiles, the Air Force said: 25 missiles and 365 drones. All 18 Kh-101 cruise missiles were destroyed, as were all five Iskander-K cruise missiles and two of four Kh-59/69 guided missiles. Of the approximately 392 drones, 365 were neutralized.
Seven ballistic missiles were launched; the Air Force said three remained unaccounted for as of the morning report, with their status still being verified. The Air Force noted the attack was still ongoing at the time of the report: "The attack continues; there are several enemy UAVs in the airspace. Follow safety rules!"
Damage and casualties
Six missiles and 27 strike drones reached their targets across 22 locations; debris from downed drones fell on an additional 10 locations. Damage was recorded in 11 oblasts.
Residential apartment buildings were struck in Zaporizhzhia and Poltava, with fires reported. In Shostka, Sumy oblast, approximately 40 drones were launched in a single concentrated strike. In Slatyne, Kharkiv oblast, a drone hit an electric train. Recovery and restoration work was underway across affected regions as of the morning report.
Four people were killed and dozens wounded, among them children, according to the report.
Zelenskyy calls for faster air defense deliveries
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the attack, stating: "In total, there were over 390 strike drones and 34 missiles of various types — ballistic, cruise, guided air-launched. And these figures clearly indicate that more protection of lives from Russian strikes is needed."
He called on partners to meet existing commitments: "It is important to continue supporting Ukraine. It is important that all agreements on air defense be fulfilled on time. And it is important that Europe be able to produce the necessary number of air defense missiles to protect against any threats."
Zelenskyy offered condolences to the families of the four killed: "My condolences to their families and loved ones."
