Air Defense Forces destroy 161 out of 197 drones used by Russia to attack Ukraine

Ukraine's air defense neutralized 161 out of 197 drones launched by the Russian army against Ukraine since the evening of March 8.

According to Ukrinform, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on Telegram.

Starting from 18:30 on Sunday, March 8, Russian forces attacked with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles from temporarily occupied Crimea, as well as 197 strike UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas types and other kinds of drones launched from the directions of Oryol, Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia), and Hvardiiske (Crimea). About 120 of these drones were Shahed-type.

The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of Ukraine's Defense Forces.

According to preliminary data as of 08:00 on Monday, March 9, air defense forces shot down or suppressed 161 enemy drones in the north, south, and east of the country.

Hits from two missiles and 36 strike drones were recorded at eight locations, while debris from intercepted drones fell at one location.

The attack is ongoing, with several enemy drones still in Ukrainian airspace.

As Ukrinform previously reported, on the evening of March 8 air raid alerts were declared in a number of regions of Ukraine due to the threat of ballistic weapons.