Russia attacks Ukraine with 570 drones and missiles overnight; Air Force highlights feature of 2 July attack

Russia launched a massive combined attack on Ukraine using attack drones as well as air-, land- and sea-launched missiles of various types on the night of 1-2 July. Ukraine's air defences downed 524 of the 570 aerial targets launched, although 25 ballistic missiles and 12 attack drones reached their targets.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force on social media

Quote from the Air Force: "The main target of the attack was Kyiv. A distinctive feature of this strike was the simultaneous use of different types of aerial attack weapons launched from multiple directions, including a large number of ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones."

Details: According to the Air Force, air surveillance units detected a total of 570 aerial targets: 74 missiles and 496 drones of various types, including:

• 4 3M22 Zircon anti-ship missiles (launched from Russia's Kursk Oblast);
• 24 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles (launched from Russia's Bryansk and Kursk oblasts);
• 34 Kh-101 cruise missiles (launched from Russia's Vologda Oblast);
• 8 Kalibr cruise missiles (launched from Novorossiysk, Russia);
• 4 Kh-59/69 guided air-launched missiles (launched from Russia's Voronezh Oblast);
• 496 Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas and Banderol attack UAVs as well as Parodiya decoy drones (launched from Bryansk, Kursk, Oryol, Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as occupied Donetsk and Hvardiiske in Crimea).

Early reports as of 09:00 indicate that Ukrainian air defences had shot down or jammed 524 aerial assets: 48 missiles and 476 drones, including:

• 4 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles;
• 32 Kh-101 cruise missiles;
• 8 Kalibr cruise missiles;
• 4 Kh-59/69 guided air-launched missiles;
• 476 drones of various types.

As of now, reports say that 25 ballistic missiles and 12 attack drones struck targets at 33 locations. Debris from intercepted drones fell at 18 locations. Information regarding several missiles is still being confirmed.

Quote from the Air Force: "The attack is ongoing. Several attack drones remain in Ukraine's airspace. Do not ignore air-raid warnings.

We extend our condolences to everyone affected and to the families who have lost loved ones in this horrific terrorist attack. We will take revenge!"

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.