Ukrainian forces report massive month of air defence interceptions

Ukraine’s air defence forces destroyed more than 57,000 aerial targets in May 2026, including a range of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, the Ukrainian Armed Forces said.

Among the intercepted targets were 2 Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” aeroballistic missiles, 50 Kh-101 cruise missiles, 10 “Iskander-M/KN-23” ballistic missiles, 11 “Kalibr” cruise missiles, 14 Kh-59/69 guided air-to-surface missiles, and 24 “Iskander-K” cruise missiles, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian Air Forces.

The military also reported the destruction of 5,053 “Shahed”-type attack UAVs, 1,316 reconnaissance drones, and 50,894 other types of unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, Ukraine said its forces intercepted more than 57,000 aerial targets during the month.

In addition, Ukrainian Air Force aviation carried out 1,089 sorties in May, including more than 700 missions for fighter air cover and around 230 sorties for strike operations and air support of ground forces.

By Vafa Guliyeva