Ukraine downs 80 of 95 Russian drones in overnight attack

Ukrainian air defence forces neutralised 80 out of 95 Russian attack drones during a large overnight assault on January 3, with strikes recorded at multiple locations, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

According to the statement, the attack began at 18:00 on January 2 and involved 95 unmanned aerial vehicles, including Shahed and Gerbera drones, as well as other types.

The launches were carried out from several directions: Millerovo, Kursk, Oryol, Bryansk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as from Kacha, Chauda, and Hvardiiske in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Approximately 60 of the drones were Shahed-type UAVs.

The air assault was repelled by a combination of Ukrainian aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups from the Defense Forces.

As of 08:00, preliminary data showed that 80 enemy drones had been shot down or suppressed over northern, southern, and eastern regions of Ukraine. At the same time, 15 attack drones reached their targets, with impacts recorded at eight locations. Debris from downed drones was also reported at two additional locations.

By Tamilla Hasanova