Photo: Getty Images
Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine on July 14, firing:
- 8 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles;
- 2 Kh-59/69 guided air-launched missiles;
- 135 attack drones, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, Banderol loitering munitions and decoy drones.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, air defenses destroyed or suppressed:
- 5 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles;
- 2 Kh-59/69 missiles;
- 108 drones.
The Air Force said this marks the first successful interception of ballistic missiles in recent weeks.
Despite the interceptions, one ballistic missile and 25 attack drones struck targets at 17 locations, while debris fell at 10 other sites. The fate of two additional ballistic missiles is still being verified.
The attack was repelled by fighter aircraft, air defense missile units, electronic warfare forces, drone units, and mobile fire groups of Ukraine's Defense Forces.
Ukraine has recently faced a shortage of interceptor missiles, leaving previous Russian ballistic attacks largely uncontested. The government has said it could purchase around 100 Patriot interceptor missiles using EU loan funds and is also seeking a U.S. license to produce such missiles domestically, though establishing production will take time.
