Massive Nov 28 attack: Ukrainian air defenses shoot down 79 missiles

Source: Ukraine’s Air Force

Ukraine faced a massive Russian missile and drone attack in the early hours of Wednesday with  188 airborne weapons entering the country’s airspace from Russia and occupied Crimea. Despite the scale of the assault, Ukrainian air defenses delivered a strong response, intercepting a majority of the threats.

The assault began on the evening of November 27, as Russian forces deployed waves of drones. By morning, missile launches followed, creating a relentless barrage aiming to put a strain on Ukrainian air defenses . Here is what they have to deal with:

• Surface-to-Air Missiles: Three S-300 missiles targeted Kharkiv, fired from Russia’s Belgorod region.
• Cruise Missiles:
  • 57 Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS bombers over the Volgograd region.
  • 28 Kalibr cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea.
• Air-Launched Missiles: Three Kh-59/69 guided missiles launched from aircraft over the Black Sea.
• Drones: A staggering 97 drones,  including Shahed drones and others of unidentified models, launched from multiple locations like Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Orel, Bryansk, and Millerovo.

In its statement following the attack, Ukraine’s Air Force said they “neutralized the bulk”of the attack that included

• • 76 cruise missiles (Kh-101 and Kalibr).
  • Three air-launched missiles (Kh-59/69).
  •  35 drones eliminated, while another 62 lost in flight

The attacks aimed at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, but a coordinated defensive effort prevented much of the damage. Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile systems, aviation, electronic warfare teams, and mobile fire groups  worked together to repel the assault.