Russia launches 130 drones at Ukraine, most shot down by air defences

Russia launched a large-scale overnight drone attack on Ukraine, deploying around 130 Shahed, Gerbera, and other strike drones from multiple directions, Ukraine’s Air Force reported on the morning of October 23.

According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 92 of the drones were destroyed or neutralized by air defence units. The attack began late on October 22 and continued through the night, becoming one of the most intense aerial assaults in recent weeks, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

Military officials said the drones were launched from six locations: Kursk, Millerovo, Shatalovo, Orel, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as from Chauda in occupied Crimea. Approximately 80 of the unmanned aircraft were Shahed models, commonly used by Russian forces for long-range strikes.

Ukraine’s defence relied on a combination of aviation units, anti-aircraft missile systems, electronic warfare teams, mobile fire groups, and air defence drones. As of 08:30 a.m. local time, Ukrainian forces had intercepted or destroyed 92 enemy drones over the northern and eastern regions of the country.

However, despite the high interception rate, 25 drones struck 11 targets, while debris from downed drones was reported in 11 additional locations. The military noted that the air raid alert remained in effect as several drones were still active in Ukrainian airspace.

The capital, Kyiv, endured another intense wave of Russian drone strikes overnight. According to local authorities, seven people were injured, and damage was reported at 10 sites across three city districts.

The Podil district was hit particularly hard, suffering damage to educational institutions, religious sites, a museum, and business premises. In the Obolon district, a drone struck the 15th floor of a residential building, while in the Desnianskyi district, another drone hit the 21st floor of a high-rise apartment block.

Local media also reported that a synagogue in the Podil district sustained damage during the attack.

In the Sumy region, Russian shelling damaged railway infrastructure and rolling stock, Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine’s state railway operator, said. Several train routes were suspended as a result of the attack.

Ukrainian authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage from what they describe as one of Russia’s largest drone offensives in weeks.

By Vafa Guliyeva