Ukraine fends off major Russian drone offensive, ongoing threat remains

Overnight on November 20, Russia launched a large-scale drone attack on Ukraine, deploying 136 strike drones, around 80 of which were Shaheds, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.

According to military officials, Russian forces launched the drones—including Shahed, Gerbera, and other types—from multiple directions: Kursk, Oryol, Millerovo, Bryansk, Shatalovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, and Hvardiiske in Crimea, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainiaan media.

The Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled the assault through a coordinated response involving aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, unmanned platforms, and mobile fire groups. As of 08:30, preliminary data indicate that air defence units shot down or suppressed 106 enemy drones across northern, southern, and eastern Ukraine.

The attack resulted in 29 drone strikes at 16 locations, with debris from downed drones falling in three additional locations. The Air Force warned that “the attack is ongoing, several enemy UAVs remain in the airspace. Follow safety rules!”

This follows an extensive Russian attack on November 19, when nearly 50 missiles and 476 drones of various types targeted Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian air defences intercepted most of the incoming threats.

In Ternopil, Russian forces carried out a combined strike using drones and missiles, destroying a multi-story residential building. Preliminary reports indicate that an X-101 missile struck the building, according to Yurii Ihnat, head of the Air Force Command's communications department. The attack killed 26 people and injured more than 90, including children.

By Vafa Guliyeva