Ukrainian air defence intercepted almost 92% of drones during large-scale attacks in May

Yevheniia Hubina - 5 June, 14:26

Ukrainian air defence increased the effectiveness of its interception of Russian drones and missiles in May 2026, despite the growing intensity of attacks.

Source: the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

Quote: "Based on daily reports by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy used 8,351 aerial assets during large-scale attacks last month. By comparison, there were about 6,700 in April. This means the intensity of enemy attacks has remained at record levels for several months in a row."

Details: The ministry said Ukrainian air defence intercepted 7,588 drones and missiles in the final month of spring. Air defence effectiveness during large-scale attacks last month stood at 90.75%.

The Ministry of Defence said 8,150 Shahed, Gerbera, Italmас and other types of UAVs were launched by Russia in May. The rate at which they were intercepted reached 91.73%.

As for cruise and ballistic missiles, 112 assets were intercepted last month. The missile interception rate was 53%.

Graphic showing air defence interception rates for May 2026. Photo: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

The ministry also added that the missiles shot down in May included:

2 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles
50 Kh-101 cruise missiles
10 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles
11 Kalibr cruise missiles
14 Kh-59/69 guided air-launched missiles
24 Iskander-K cruise missiles

Background:

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said earlier that Ukrainian interceptor drones working in the three tiers of air defence had destroyed more than 3,500 Russian UAVs of various types in May.
In the first month of spring, 89.9% of Russian missiles and drones were shot down or jammed. In total, 5,935 Russian aerial assets failed to reach their targets. The Ministry of Defence calculated that the percentage of Russian assets shot down and jammed was 85.6% in February, 82.5% in January and 80.2% in December.

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