On the night of November 6, a massive strike was carried out across Ukraine using more than 200 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine citing the Air Force of Ukraine. According to preliminary data, by 08:00, the air defense system had shot down or suppressed 196 enemy drones, while about 15 strike drones were still in the air at the time of the morning briefing, and combat interception operations were ongoing.
Composition of the Attack and Launch Directions
Among the deployed drones, according to the Air Force, were Shaheds—86 of which were jet-powered—as well as Gerbera drones and Parody-type decoys. The devices flew from several directions: from Oryol, Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as from occupied Donetsk and from Hvardiiske and Chauda in occupied Crimea. Such a scattering of launch points indicates the simultaneous engagement of several bridgeheads to overload defense sectors.
How the Strike Was Repelled
The attack was repelled comprehensively: aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, as well as mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces. It was precisely the combination of these means that allowed, according to preliminary data, to shoot down or suppress 196 drones by morning, including 70 jet-powered Shaheds, Gerberas, and other types of devices. On the front line of defense, as seen in footage from the combat zone, anti-aircraft weapon crews covering positions and infrastructure continue to operate.
Ground Consequences
Hits by enemy air attack weapons were recorded at 14 locations. Falls of debris from downed drones were recorded at another 8 locations. Final data on destruction and possible casualties were being clarified at the time of publication of the briefing.
Context: Statements by Zelenskyy and the NATO Secretary General
The day before, on November 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained why the country needs Taurus missiles: according to him, since the US could not supply anti-ballistic missiles for air defense, the remaining option is to destroy Russian launchers. On the same day, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that there will be no winners in the Russia-Ukraine war and that the conflict will end with a peace agreement based on compromises. These statements came against the backdrop of ongoing massive air attacks similar to the nighttime one.
