Ukraine says air defences down most of 163 Russian strike drones overnight

Ukraine’s military says Russian forces carried out a large-scale overnight drone assault, launching 163 strike unmanned aerial vehicles of various types, including Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas models.

According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, approximately 100 of the drones were Shahed-type systems, Caliber.Az reports. 

In a statement released on the morning of May 2, the military said air defence units had intercepted or neutralised 142 drones by 8:00 a.m. local time across the north, south, and east of the country.

“On the night of May 2, the enemy launched an attack using 163 strike UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas types, as well as other types of drones. Approximately 100 of them were Shaheds," the statement reads. 

The statement added that 17 drones struck targets at 12 separate locations, while debris from downed UAVs was reported at two additional sites.

By Sabina Mammadli