24-11-2024 (KYIV) Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted 50 out of 73 Russian drones in a significant overnight assault, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of the urgent need to bolster the nation’s air defence capabilities amid intensifying aerial attacks.
In a statement via Telegram, Zelenskyy revealed that Russian forces had deployed an overwhelming arsenal over the past week, including more than 800 guided aerial bombs, approximately 460 attack drones, and over 20 missiles of various types.
“Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons,” Zelenskyy declared, emphasising his nation’s sovereignty while condemning Russia’s continued attempts to “kill our people, spread fear and panic, and weaken us.”
The capital Kyiv faced particular pressure during the assault, with military administration chief Serhiy Popko reporting that air defence units successfully neutralised more than 10 drones targeting the city. The attack triggered a three-hour air raid alert, though no immediate casualties or damage were reported.
Witnesses in Kyiv described hearing multiple explosions as air defence systems engaged the incoming unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which were reported to be approaching the capital from various directions.
This week, air raid alerts have sounded almost daily across Ukraine. Just last night, our air defense forces managed to shot down nearly 50 strike drones. Over the past week, Russia has launched more than 800 guided aerial bombs, around 460 strike drones, and over 20 missiles of… pic.twitter.com/wUeKmbGcIF
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 24, 2024