Russian Attacks on Ukraine: Hundreds of Drones and Missiles & Ukraine’s Air Defense Effectiveness
On the night of July 1st to 2nd, Ukrainian defenders faced a large-scale air assault launched by Russian forces. The enemy employed a combination of S-300 missile systems and over a hundred attack drones, including Shahed models and various decoys, aiming to complicate Ukraine’s aerial defense and inflict damage. According to the Ukrainian Air Force command, by the morning of July 2nd, Ukraine’s air defense managed to neutralize 79 enemy drones, showcasing a high level of operational effectiveness. Specifically, surface-to-air missile systems and other defensive measures destroyed 40 of these unmanned aerial vehicles, while 39 others were disabled or suppressed through electronic warfare, significantly reducing the threat. The attacks resulted in 14 confirmed hits by enemy attack drones on Ukrainian targets, with two drones subsequently falling after being shot down. These events highlight the ongoing aggression from Russia but also demonstrate the resilience and capability of Ukraine’s air defense forces in protecting civilians and critical infrastructure from extensive aerial assaults.