Ukraine downs majority of 124 drones in overnight Russian attack

Russia launched a large-scale overnight drone attack on Ukraine on May 22, deploying 124 unmanned aerial vehicles, according to the Telegram post by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The attack involved strike drones of the Shahed, Gerbera and Italmas types, as well as decoy drones known as Parodiya, used to complicate air defence efforts.

Ukrainian forces responded using a combination of aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, unmanned systems units and mobile fire groups.

According to preliminary data released at 08:00, Ukraine’s air defence systems shot down or suppressed 115 of the incoming drones across the north, south and east of the country.

Despite the high interception rate, seven strike drones reached their targets, hitting five locations. In addition, debris from downed drones was reported at five separate sites.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said the attack was still ongoing at the time of reporting.

By Tamilla Hasanova