Ukraine endured one of the most extensive aerial assaults in recent months as Russian forces unleashed a massive wave of missiles and drones overnight, targeting the capital and multiple regions across the country. The large-scale coordinated attack, which began at 7:30 p.m. local time on April 23, involved 215 aerial threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as Iranian-made Shahed drones.
According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, fires erupted in nine different regions as a result of the attack. Nearly 40 separate blazes were extinguished by emergency crews. The strikes caused widespread damage to infrastructure and injured multiple civilians and rescue workers, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the assault.
Officials confirmed that the capital city, Kyiv, was the primary focus of the assault. Residents reported hearing explosions and air raid sirens throughout the night as Ukraine’s air defenses scrambled to counter the incoming barrage.
Ukraine’s Air Force said the attack was carried out using a mix of air-, sea-, and ground-launched systems, including ballistic and cruise missiles, decoy drones, and loitering munitions. In its official statement, the Air Force reported intercepting 186 out of the 215 threats launched—a success rate of approximately 87%.
Among the intercepted weapons were:
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7 of 11 Iskander-M ballistic missiles (Russian KN-23 variants),
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31 of 37 Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles,
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6 of 12 Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles,
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4 of 4 Kh-59 and Kh-69 guided missiles,
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138 of 145 Shahed-type drones.
However, all six Iskander-K cruise missiles managed to evade Ukrainian defenses and struck their intended targets. Ukrainian air defense forces described the wave of drones and missiles as “one of the largest coordinated air strikes to date.”
For the first time since their official deployment earlier this year, U.S.-supplied F-16s and French Mirage fighter jets took part in combat defense operations over Ukrainian airspace. These fighter aircraft were instrumental in repelling both missile and drone attacks, especially in defending critical infrastructure around Kyiv.
Military analysts noted the effectiveness of Western-supplied aircraft in reinforcing Ukraine’s air defense umbrella, allowing greater flexibility and faster response to airborne threats. “The integration of F-16s and Mirages is shifting the tactical landscape,” said Andrii Holub, a military analyst based in Kyiv. “Their involvement adds depth to Ukraine’s air defense strategy.”
Beyond the initial destruction, a second wave of Russian attacks appeared to deliberately target emergency responders. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service confirmed that four emergency vehicles were damaged and at least one responder was injured while crews were attempting to contain fires and assist civilians after the first strikes.
“This attack underscores the continued threat to both civilians and those working to assist them,” the service said in a public statement. “Targeting emergency response units is not only a war crime—it represents an escalation in the deliberate cruelty of Russia’s campaign.”
While Kyiv absorbed the bulk of the assault, regions including Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, and Khmelnytskyi were also hit by missile strikes and drone attacks. Authorities in these regions reported varying degrees of infrastructure damage, including hits on power substations, transport hubs, and residential buildings.
In Kharkiv, local officials said several neighborhoods were left without electricity overnight after a Kalibr missile struck an electrical substation. Emergency repairs were underway by morning, but power outages persisted in some districts.
In Dnipropetrovsk, missile debris injured at least three people and damaged over a dozen homes. Firefighters worked through the night to control secondary blazes caused by falling debris and fuel ignitions.
In Zaporizhzhia, preliminary reports indicated damage to a transportation facility used for humanitarian aid delivery. Authorities are assessing the impact on logistics operations in the region, which has been a key corridor for displaced civilians and medical support.
Military analysts say the scale and coordination of the April 23–24 strike suggest Russia is refining its air warfare tactics in an effort to outpace Ukraine’s maturing air defense systems. The use of decoy drones, combined with precision-guided cruise and ballistic missiles, is designed to saturate defenses and expose vulnerabilities in radar coverage and missile stockpiles.
According to Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, the sheer volume of drones and missiles in the latest attack is not just about destruction—it’s psychological warfare. “These are attempts to break civilian morale, to exhaust our systems, and to force us to divide our resources,” Ihnat said.
He emphasized that while Ukraine’s interception rate remains high, maintaining it is increasingly difficult given the constant pressure on air defense systems and ammunition supplies. “We are effective, but not invincible. Continued support from allies remains crucial.”
The United States, European Union, and NATO condemned the attack within hours. In a statement released early April 24, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. was “deeply concerned by Russia’s escalating use of aerial terror tactics” and reaffirmed the commitment to supplying Ukraine with air defense ammunition and replacement parts.
France’s defense ministry praised the Ukrainian use of Mirage fighters and pledged to accelerate deliveries of additional missiles and radar systems. “Ukrainian resilience is extraordinary, but it must be supported,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Germany announced a new tranche of air defense aid, including additional IRIS-T SLM units, capable of intercepting both drones and cruise missiles. The system has been in service in Ukraine since 2022 and played a role in defending southern and central regions during the latest attack.
Despite successful interceptions, civilians across Ukraine are showing signs of growing fatigue from the constant threat of attack. In Kyiv, many residents spent hours in bomb shelters or basements, with power disruptions and mobile network outages adding to the anxiety.
“It’s like living in a video game you can’t turn off,” said Iryna Shevchuk, a 29-year-old teacher in Kyiv. “Every few weeks, we’re bracing for another massive attack. The sirens, the shaking windows, the uncertainty—it wears you down.”
Mental health professionals in major cities are reporting increased demand for counseling and stress management services, especially among children and the elderly.
Russia’s latest missile and drone onslaught over Ukraine represents a dangerous escalation in an already devastating war. While Ukrainian air defenses performed with remarkable efficiency—intercepting nearly 87% of incoming threats—the cost in resources, strain on emergency services, and damage to civilian infrastructure is mounting.
As Kyiv and other cities assess the aftermath and begin cleanup, the message from this latest barrage is clear: the war remains far from over, and Ukraine’s ability to defend itself relies heavily on the continued support of its Western allies.
