A deep morning on April 24 was marked by a new large-scale strike from Russia on Ukrainian territory, once again highlighting the escalation of the security situation and the persistent nature of Russian attacks on strategic objects and cities across the country
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, during the night, a combined strike was carried out against Ukraine with the goal of destroying Ukrainian infrastructure and vital facilities. Over 215 enemy missiles and drones were launched across Ukraine — a number that indicates one of the most extensive attacks in recent months. The main target of the strike was Kyiv, which is traditionally one of the primary targets for Russian forces. However, besides Kyiv, damage and destruction were also reported in several other regions: Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, and Khmelnytskyi. Ukrainian air defense systems demonstrated high efficiency: as a result of their efforts, at least 112 out of the planned 215 enemy targets were destroyed. Specifically, the launches of 7 Iskander-M and KN-23 ballistic missiles were thwarted, launched from regions of Bryansk, Voronezh, and Kursk in Russia. Ukrainian radio technical forces also managed to intercept 31 X-101 cruise missiles coming from strategic Tu-95MS bombers over the Saratov region. Additionally, 6 Iskander-K cruise missiles and 4 Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea were intercepted by Ukrainian air defense. Guided aviation missiles X-59 and X-69 were also used, but either failed to reach their targets or were destroyed. A particularly high level of activity was observed regarding kamikaze drones and Shahed combat UAVs. More than 145 strike UAVs and 68 kamikaze drones from the regions of Russia — Bryansk, Millerovo, Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as temporarily occupied Crimea — were shot down. These losses were significant for the enemy but did not cause serious damage to Ukrainian territory. Regarding active air defense, Ukrainian F-16 and Mirage pilots played a crucial role, performing combat tasks to intercept and destroy enemy targets. Ukrainian military estimates suggest that thanks to their skill, over a dozen targets were shot down from the air, including ballistic and cruise missiles. It is worth noting that the Russian attack caused damage to infrastructure and facilities in several regions. Despite this, Ukrainian forces continue their active fight for the country's security, performing vital tasks to protect the airspace. Air Force personnel emphasize that energy and transportation systems, regardless of the damage, remain the focus of their efforts and are capable of withstanding further challenges. Overall, this nocturnal operation once again demonstrated the high combat readiness of Ukrainian aviation and air defense systems, as well as the full combat spirit of Ukrainian troops. They remain determined to continue resisting aggression, defend their land, and preserve independence. Meanwhile, the enemy, ignoring international norms and humanitarian solidarity, is unable to stop and continues searching for targeted strikes, increasing risks for the civilian population and the country's infrastructure. The results of this nighttime attack reaffirm that Ukrainian defense remains strong and unwavering.