Russia, Ukraine trade massive overnight air assaults PHOTO

Russia and Ukraine reported major overnight aerial attacks on Wednesday (July 8), with Moscow saying it intercepted more than 400 Ukrainian drones, while Kyiv said it came under a combined missile and drone assault launched by Russian forces.

Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences destroyed or intercepted 415 Ukrainian drones between 20:00 Moscow time (1700 GMT) on Tuesday (July 7) and 0800 Moscow time (0500 GMT) on Wednesday (July 8).

The ministry said the drones were downed over 15 Russian regions, including Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Rostov and the Moscow region, as well as over Krasnodar Territory, Tatarstan, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. It did not immediately report casualties or damage.

Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 169 attack drones, five Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles and two Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles during the overnight assault.

According to the military, Ukrainian air defences shot down or electronically suppressed 139 drones. It said five ballistic missiles struck four locations, while 20 drones hit targets at 11 locations. Debris from intercepted drones fell at seven sites.

The Air Force added that the two Kh-31P missiles failed to reach their intended targets and warned that the attack was still ongoing, with several Russian drones remaining in Ukrainian airspace.

By Aghakazim Guliyev