Ukrainian air defense successfully downed all 89 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia in a mass overnight attack, along with one Kh-59 missile, as reported by the Ukrainian Air Force on July 31. The main target was Kyiv and its surrounding region, with the Ukrainian Air Force revealing the intensity of the assault.
The Kyiv City Military Administration described it as the most prolific drone attack on the capital in 2024, with over 40 drones intercepted in the city and nearby areas. Unfortunately, one residential building in Kyiv Oblast was affected by falling debris from a downed drone, causing a fire.
This was one of the largest mass drone attacks by Russia since the full-scale invasion began. The seven-hour assault saw drones entering Kyiv from various directions, ultimately repelled by a combination of defense forces. The Kh-59 missile was thwarted before reaching Mykolaiv Oblast.
Last New Year’s Eve, Russia launched a similar attack with 90 drones, 87 of which were successfully intercepted by Ukrainian air defense.