Ukrainian air defenses downed all Russian drones in a new massive attack

In the night to July 31, Russia launched its most massive drone attack on Kyiv since the beginning of the year. The aerial alert in the capital lasted for more than 7 hours. 

Ukraine’s air defenses shot down all 89 Russian Shahed kamikaze drones and one Kh-59 cruise missile during the assault, according to the official report.

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, this attack is similar in scale to the Russian drone assault that Putin’s troops carried out on New Year’s Eve, January 1, 2024.

Russia launched an air missile from the occupied areas of the Kherson region, as well as war drones from the Yeysk, Seshcha, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk regions of the Russian Federation. The attack’s main focus was on the Kyiv region. This was announced by Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk.

“On the night of July 31, 2024, the enemy attacked with a Kh-59 guided air missile from the airspace of the occupied Kherson region and 89 attack UAVs of the “Shahed” type from the Yeisk, Seshcha, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk regions. The attack’s main direction is the Kyiv region! This is one of the most massive attacks by the “Shahed-131/136″ UAVs. The enemy used the same number of martyrs on New Year’s Eve, January 1, 2024. Today Ukrainian air defense withstood and repelled a massive attack by enemy drones,” the message reads.

Mobile fire groups from all branches of Ukraine’s defense forces, tactical aviation of the Air Force, army aviation of the Ground Forces, anti-aircraft missile units, and electronic warfare units of the Air Force were involved in the defense.

Putin’s troops also shot down a guided Kh-59 aerial missile they were using to attack the southern Mykolaiv region.

With more air defense systems supplied by Ukraine’s Western partners, the Ukrainian military has better capabilities to repel Russian attacks, protect cities, and save lives.

The Kyiv City Military Administration reported the downing of over 40 Russian drones over Kyiv and on approaches to the capital. As a result of falling debris, a fire broke out in a private house, but there were no casualties.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, anti-aircraft fire destroyed six Shahed drones. There were no casualties.

In the Kherson region of the south, the Ukrainian military shot down nine Russian attack drones.