Ukraine Repels Russia’s Large Scale Missile Attack
‘Significant Damage’ suffered by thermal power plants
A total of 210 aerial targets, 120 missiles and 90 Shahed drones, were launched from various directions targeting locations across Ukraine.
Ukraine’s air defenses, including F-16s, successfully intercepted and destroyed 140 Russian aerial targets, neutralizing most of the incoming missiles.
“We are grateful to all of our air defense that repelled this attack: anti-aircraft missile troops, our aviation — F-16, Su and MiG pilots, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare — everyone worked in an organized manner,” President Zelensky said.
Destroyed by Ukraine/Launched by Russia
- 1/1 Zircon (3M22) hypersonic cruise missile
- 7/8 Kinzhal (Kh-47M) aeroballistic missiles
- 85/101 Kalibr/Kh-101 cruise missiles
- 0/1 Iskander-M ballistic missile
- 4/4 Kh-22/Kh-31P cruise/anti-radar missiles
- 5/5 Kh-59/69 cruise missiles
- 42/90 Shahed drones and other types
Of the 210 missiles and drones launched by Russia, Ukraine successfully intercepted 140. However, 1 Kinzhal, 1 Iskander, and 16 Kalibr missiles, along with 38 drones, managed to breach the defenses. Ukraine’s interception rate has improved significantly compared to just months ago. By mid-2024, the interception rate had dropped to 50%, but during this attack, Ukraine neutralized 84% of all missiles launched against them.
This progress comes despite allies having yet to deliver two of the long-range air defense systems promised to Ukraine this year. During the G7 summit in Italy, allies pledged to provide five additional long-range systems — one each from the United States, the Netherlands, Romania, Germany, and Italy. Of these, only three have been delivered so far, with the United States and the Netherlands still yet to fulfill their commitments.
There has been no news whatsoever about the U.S. system. As a result, Ukraine currently has around eight long-range systems in its possession. Combined with the F-16s, Ukraine’s layered air defenses performed admirably against one of the largest missile barrages ever launched by the Russian empire.
Just imagine — what stopped the West from delivering ten units from the start, or even a few more? A significant amount of bloodshed could have been prevented. So much of the Western money spent to support Ukraine economically and for humanitarian efforts could have been saved.
Yet, the West has continually made things more difficult for itself, and it still does. Nevertheless, the current density of air defenses in Ukraine is sufficient to handle a barrage of 120 missiles from Russia. The Biden administration has announced plans to immediately deliver 500 air-defense missiles to Ukraine.
I don’t know the exact breakdown of how many are Patriot interceptors and how many are short-range air-defense missiles, but the number seems reasonable and will help support Ukraine over the next six months.
If Trump refuses to deliver long-range missiles in the future, Europe will have to shoulder the burden by using its existing stocks, placing orders directly with the manufacturer, and replenishing its stocks at a later date. Not an impossible task.
Europe’s number one task is to secure the two Patriots that are still pending delivery. This would bring Ukraine’s long-range air-defense strength to 10 units.
The air-defense umbrella is working, and yesterday provided proof of its effectiveness.
Thanks for reading. The war is getting closer to the end. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to make critical information about Ukraine accessible. That’s why I’ve made 330 stories available to the public in 2024, including this one
