Ukraine strikes down 14 Russian drones in overnight battle

The Ukrainian Air Force has said that Ukrainian air defence units successfully intercepted and destroyed 14 out of 16 Shahed drones launched by Russian forces on the night of March 16 to 17.

The drones were launched from Cape Chauda in the occupied Crimea region, Caliber.Az writes, citing Kyiv Independent.

Additionally, Russian forces unleashed five S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles targeting Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts, as well as two X-59 guided missiles aimed at Chernihiv Oblast. However, the outcome of these missile launches remains undisclosed by the Air Force.

The intercepted drones were targeted over Odesa and Mykolaiv Oblasts, with anti-aircraft missile units and mobile fire groups from the Air Force actively engaged in repelling the air attack, which persisted for nearly three hours, according to the Southern Defense Forces.

The drones reportedly conducted maneuvers over Odesa from the Black Sea, navigating through residential and industrial areas of the city. In the Odesa district, two agricultural enterprises sustained damage, resulting in the destruction of several industrial buildings and sparking fires. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, as confirmed by Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces.

This latest incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by drone attacks in Ukraine, which have become increasingly frequent in recent times. Just three days prior, on March 14, Ukrainian air defense forces successfully downed 22 out of 36 Russian drones in another attempted incursion.