On the night of June 17, Ukraine was subjected to a large-scale air attack. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 119 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (drones) at the country. Air defense forces repelled the strike, shooting down the vast majority of targets, although some drones still reached their coordinates.

Details of the Air Raid

The attack was launched simultaneously from several directions. The drones took off from the Bryansk, Kursk, and Orel regions of Russia, as well as from Millerovo and Chauda (Russian-occupied territory, Crimea).

The enemy arsenal included various types of drones:

  • "Shahed" type strike drones (including jet modifications);
  • "Gerbera" and "Italmas" drones;
  • "Parody" type decoy UAVs.

The country's defense was carried out by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups. As of 08:00, the destruction or suppression of 97 enemy aircraft was confirmed in the north, south, and east of Ukraine.

Results of the Attack and Consequences

Despite the effectiveness of the air defense, the impact of 20 strike drones was recorded in 11 locations. In addition, debris from downed drones was recorded falling in 6 regions. The Air Force warned that the attack is ongoing and enemy drones are still in the sky, urging citizens to follow safety rules.

This attack was part of a series of intensive strikes on Ukrainian cities. On the evening of June 16, Russia attacked Zaporizhzhia, where one person was killed and three others were injured. The previous night, on June 15, a combined strike was launched on Kyiv, where residential buildings, high-rise buildings, and the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra were damaged. In Kharkiv, a repeated strike led to the death of five State Emergency Service (SES) rescuers who were extinguishing a fire that arose after the previous shelling. The city zoo was also hit, where animals were injured.

Civilian Casualty Statistics

The situation regarding the safety of the civilian population remains critical. According to the UN, May 2026 was the bloodiest month for residents of Ukraine in the last four years: the total number of casualties exceeded 2,000 people in just 30 days. Experts link the sharp rise in casualties to Russia's use of powerful weapons in densely populated urban areas, where missiles and aerial bombs cause massive damage to infrastructure and people.