Ukraine withstands missile and drone assault: 614 launched by Russia — what Ukrainian air defenses managed to shoot down
On the night of August 20 to 21, Ukraine’s air forces reported a massive enemy attack initiated by Russia, during which a staggering total of 614 drones and missiles of various types were launched.
This marked one of the largest assaults in terms of sheer volume during the entire war, highlighting the resilience and coordination of Ukrainian defense systems.
According to the Air Forces, most of the enemy targets were successfully intercepted or suppressed.
Ukrainian defenders managed to neutralize 577 of these threats, including 546 drones of the Shahed type and various drone decoys, four hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, 19 Kh-101 cruise missiles, 14 Kalibr missiles, and an unidentified projectile originating from occupied Crimea.
The Ukrainian missile defense system effectively countered most attacks, with losses consisting mainly of drones, and limited damage to infrastructure.
Some missiles and drones that evaded interception struck 11 different locations, with debris falling on three sites.
The aftermath of the attack caused damage to civilian infrastructure, with Russian missiles hitting several industrial facilities in Zaporizhzhia and mortar strikes on Lviv, where two civilians were injured and one person killed.
Several residential and public buildings were damaged, with windows shattered and roofs compromised.
In addition, a missile attack on Mukachevo in the Zakarpattia region resulted in at least 12 victims and damage to local enterprises.
Authorities urged residents to stay in shelters, close windows, and avoid outdoor activities unless necessary, especially considering the adverse weather conditions.