Russia launches massive ballistic missile strike on energy grid: air defence brings down 4 out of 39 missiles and 115 drones
Russia attacked Ukraine with 39 ballistic missiles and 128 drones on the night of 13-14 October, mainly targeting Kyiv and Kyiv and Kharkiv oblasts. Ukrainian air defence forces shot down or jammed four missiles and 115 drones.
Source: Ukraine's Air Force; President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)
Quote from the Air Force: "The key factor was simultaneous use of offensive aerial weapons of various types from different directions and a large number of ballistic strikes against energy facilities."
Details: The Air Force noted that since 18:00 on 13 October, the Russians have launched 39 missiles and 128 drones on Ukraine. Iskander-M, KN-23, S-400, Zircon, and Oniks missiles were launched from Russia's Kursk, Bryansk, Voronezh and Rostov oblasts.
The Russians also used Shahed, Banderol/Dan-T, Gerbera and Italmas drones and Parodiya decoy drones. Of the UAVs launched, 77 were jet-powered.
The drones were launched from the areas of Russia's Millerovo and Oryol and temporarily occupied Donetsk and Hvardiiske in Crimea and from the waters of the Sea of Azov.
Early reports indicate that as of 09:00, air defence forces had brought down or jammed four missiles and 115 drones, including 59 jet-powered ones.
Hits by some of the missiles and drones have been recorded at 22 locations. Intercepted aerial assets and debris crashed at eight locations. Some of the Russian missiles failed to reach their targets.
Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare assets, unmanned systems units and mobile fire groups from Ukraine's defence forces have been involved in repelling the attack. As of 09:00, several strike drones were still in the sky over Ukraine.
Quote from Zelenskyy: "Overnight, the Russians used 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions against our energy and critical infrastructure in Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast and Kharkiv. A targeted Russian ballistic missile strike specifically against energy infrastructure – the very infrastructure covered by the ceasefire announced by the American president."
Details: Zelenskyy said that the Russian attack has left at least 600,000 people without electricity, and blackouts could affect even more consumers.
The president added that the Russians have significantly damaged facilities and equipment at 26 energy sites and four oil and gas facilities. He emphasised that some people are reported to have been killed and injured, although he did not specify their numbers.
Zelenskyy called the strike deliberate and demonstrative, stating that Russia has squandered an opportunity to de-escalate the hostilities.
He called on the US and Kyiv's other partners to respond decisively to the attack, urging Donald Trump to introduce tough sanctions against Russia. He also asked partners to supply Ukraine with additional interceptor missiles for Patriot systems.
Background: On the night of 13-14 October, three people were killed in a Russian attack on the city of Kyiv. First responders are continuing to deal with the aftermath in three districts in the capital.
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