Ukraine Defends Against Massive Russian Drone Attack
Ukraine successfully intercepted 90 out of 174 drones launched by Russia in a large-scale overnight assault on 17 March. According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia attacked from multiple directions, deploying Shahed-type strike drones and various drone-imitators from Orel, Shatalovo, Kursk, Bryansk, and Primorsko Akhtarsk.
Ukrainian air defence systems, including aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare forces, and mobile fire groups, responded to the attack. By 09:00, confirmed interceptions had been recorded across ten regions, including Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa.
Drone Attack and Defence Statistics
| Total Drones Launched by Russia | Drones Shot Down by Ukraine | Drone Failures (Did Not Reach Targets) | Regions Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 174 | 90 | 70 | 10 |
The attack was not fully successful for Russia, as 70 of its drone-imitators were lost due to locational failure, causing no harm. However, some damage was reported in several regions, including Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kyiv.
Regions Affected by Russian Drone Strikes
| Region | Impact of Attack |
|---|---|
| Kyiv | Air defence successfully engaged |
| Odesa | Some damage reported |
| Kharkiv | Air defence in operation |
| Dnipropetrovsk | Some damage recorded |
| Kirovohrad | Defence systems active |
| Sumy | Attack repelled |
| Chernihiv | Defence forces engaged |
| Poltava | No significant damage reported |
| Cherkasy | Defence held strong |
| Zaporizhzhia | Attack intercepted |
Russia’s continued use of drone warfare has become a key part of its strategy, aimed at exhausting Ukraine’s air defences and targeting civilian infrastructure. Despite these attempts, Ukraine’s defence forces remain effective, intercepting and neutralising a significant portion of the threats. Ukrainian officials continue to highlight the need for increased support to sustain air defence capabilities.
