In a massive overnight assault on 24 September, Russian forces launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine, targeting multiple regions across the country. Ukraine’s air defenses successfully intercepted numerous threats. Russian bomb strikes on Zaporizhzhia killed and injured civilians.
According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, air defense systems shot down 66 Shahed drones across eight oblasts during the night of 24 September (from 20:00 on 23 September to 07:00 on 24 September).
The Air Force reported that their radio-technical troops detected and tracked 85 air assault weapons, including:
- one Iskander-M ballistic missile from Rostov Oblast, Russia;
- two Kh-59/69 guided aviation missiles from Bryansk Oblast, Russia;
- one missile (type to be determined) from Kursk Oblast, Russia;
- and 81 Shahed-136/131 one-way attack UAVs from the Kursk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk areas in Russia.
The primary target of the attack was northern and central Ukraine. The air assault was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine.
In addition to the 66 drones shot down, 13 UAVs reportedly “locationally lost” (crashed) in several regions of Ukraine due to active countermeasures by the Defense Forces. This implies that at least two drones reached their targets.
Deadly bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia
The city of Zaporizhzhia suffered a Russian bomb attack late on 23 September, resulting in one death and six injuries, including two children. According to Suspilne, the public broadcaster, the first explosions were heard around 22:45, followed by a series of blasts. The attack damaged critical infrastructure and residential buildings.
Regina Kharchenko, secretary of the Zaporizhzhia City Council, reported that over 100 buildings were damaged in the Russian attack.
“As of now (the morning of 24 September, – Ed.), 74 apartment buildings, 24 private houses, 15 non-residential premises, social facilities, and infrastructure in the Shevchenkivskyi, Oleksandrivskyi, and Komunarskyi districts of the city,” Kharchenko stated.
The National Police of Ukraine reported that Russian forces launched six strikes (preliminarily identified as KAB guided bombs) on Zaporizhzhia and the surrounding area. The attacks targeted civilian infrastructure, completely destroying one private house and damaging surrounding properties, high-rise buildings, and vehicles.
Missile strike on Kharkiv
In Kharkiv, a Russian missile strike hit the Kyivskyi district in the early hours of 24 September, as reported by Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Preliminary data suggests the missile struck open ground, causing a fire. No casualties were reported, but emergency services quickly responded to address the aftermath of the strike.
Explosions reported in multiple regions
During the night, explosions were also heard in Cherkasy, Kyiv, Sumy, and Poltava oblasts amid air raid alerts, according to Suspilne. Air defense systems were reportedly active in Cherkasy and Kyiv oblasts, with the Air Force warning of potential drone strikes in these areas.
Related:
- Russia bombs Zaporizhzhia, injuring 16 civilians, including a 15-year-old
- Kharkiv residential area hit by FAB-250 bomb, 21 locals injured
- Deadly Russian missile strike kills 3 civilians, including child, in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
- Ukraine intercepts all 42 Russian drones; other Russian attacks kill four, injure 20 civilians in four regions
- Ukraine repels massive Russian explosive drone assault, destroying 71/80 Shaheds
