Air Defense neutralizes two Zircon missiles and 52 Russian drones

On the night of February 16, Ukraine's Defense Forces destroyed two Zircon anti-ship missiles and 52 enemy UAVs.

According to Ukrinform, the press service of the Ukrainian Air Force stated this on Telegram.

"As of 09:00, air defense systems have shot down or suppressed two Zircon anti-ship missiles and 52 enemy UAVs, including Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas types, as well as drones of other types," the statement said.

It is noted that hits from one missile and nine attack UAVs were recorded at eight locations, as well as debris from downed targets at two locations. Information regarding three enemy missiles is being clarified. The attack is ongoing, with several Russian UAVs still detected in Ukrainian airspace.

The press service added that from 18:00 on February 15, the enemy attacked Ukraine with four Zircon anti-ship missiles launched from the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, an Iskander-M ballistic missile from the Bryansk region, and a Kh-31P guided air-launched missile from the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia region. In addition, Russia launched 62 strike UAVs, including Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas drones, as well as other types of UAVs, from the directions of Millerovo, Kursk, Bryansk, Shatalovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia), and Hvardiiske (temporarily occupied Crimea). About 40 of them were Shahed drones.

The air assault was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

As previously reported, the total combat losses of Russian forces since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, from February 24, 2022, to February 16, 2026, amount to approximately 1,254,450 personnel, including 1,180 over the past day.