---
title: "Ukraine Repels Massive Drone Attack: Air Defense Neutralizes Over 120 UAVs in a Day"
description: "On October 31, 2026, Ukrainian air defense shot down and suppressed 122 out of 168 strike drones in a day, including 37 jet-powered ones. Overnight, the attack came from six directions, and hits on Kyiv's infrastructure caused power and water supply disruptions."
date: 2026-10-31T18:48:58.817Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-repels-massive-drone-attack-air-defense
tags: [ukraine-war, air-defense, drones, russia-ukraine, military]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukraine Repels Massive Drone Attack: Air Defense Neutralizes Over 120 UAVs in a Day

![Ukrainian servicemen in camouflage uniform operate an air defense combat crew](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/31/ukraina-otrazila-massirovannuyu-dron-atak-pvo-bezvredivila-120-bespilotnikov/ukraina-otrazila-massirovannuyu-dron-atak-pvo-bezvredivila-120-bespilotnikov-1.webp)

## Key Points

- On October 31, 2026 (06:30–19:30), Russia deployed 168 strike drones, including 51 jet-powered ones and S8000 'Banderol/Dan-T'.
- Air defense shot down/suppressed 122 UAVs, including 37 jet drones; by evening, about 30 drones remained in the air.
- Overnight, the attack came from six directions; on October 30, drones hit Kyiv's critical infrastructure three times, causing power and water supply disruptions.

On October 31, 2026, Ukraine repelled a massive aerial attack. According to RBC-Ukraine citing the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, throughout the day—from 06:30 to 19:30—Russian occupation forces attacked the country with 168 strike drones. Air defense forces managed to shoot down and suppress 122 unmanned aerial vehicles, which is the absolute majority of the deployed air attack assets.

### Attack Composition and Combat Dynamics

Among the 168 strike drones engaged in combat throughout the day were 51 jet-powered drones, as well as Gerbera-type drones and other modifications, including the S8000 'Banderol/Dan-T'. As of evening, about 30 strike drones remained in the country's airspace, and as the Air Force specified, the combat work of the air defense was ongoing.

### Air Defense Results

According to the air defense report, 122 drones were shot down or suppressed, including 37 jet drones and two S8000 'Banderol/Dan-T' UAVs. Thus, the overwhelming part of the daytime attack was neutralized before reaching targets, which corresponds to the standard dynamics of repelling drone raids in recent months of the conflict.

### Context: Night Attack and Strikes on Kyiv's Infrastructure

Recall that on the night of October 31, Russian troops attacked Ukraine with strike drones from six directions simultaneously. Air defense forces managed to shoot down most enemy drones, but hits were recorded. On the evening of October 30, Russian drones struck a critical infrastructure facility in Kyiv three times: this caused power grid failures in the capital, a drop in the water supply pressure, and left some districts without water.

### Discrepancy in Figures Among Publications

Some Ukrainian media outlets cite slightly different figures for the same event: thus, Gazeta.ua reports an attack with 160 drones and 117 shot down or suppressed by air defense. The difference is most likely explained by different data recording times (intermediate and final reports), while both sources confirm the scale of the attack and the fact that air defense shot down the majority of the drones.

## Accounts differ

### Number of drones deployed and shot down by air defense on October 31

- **RBC-Ukraine (citing the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine):** Attacked with 168 strike drones during the day, air defense shot down/suppressed 122, including 37 jet drones and two S8000 'Banderol/Dan-T'. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rosiya-atakuvala-ukrayinu-168-udarnimi-dronami-1793471545.html))
- **Gazeta.ua:** The attack was carried out with 160 drones, air defense shot down or suppressed 117 UAVs. ([gazeta.ua](https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/sport/_rossiya-atakovala-ukrainu-160-dronami-pvo-sbila-ili-podavila-117-bespilotnikov/1260030))

*Where they agree:* Both sources confirm the massive drone attack on October 31, 2026, and that air defense shot down or suppressed the majority of unmanned aerial vehicles.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Россия атаковала Украину 168 ударными дронами: сколько сбила ПВО](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rosiya-atakuvala-ukrayinu-168-udarnimi-dronami-1793471545.html) - Primary source: 168 drones per day, 122 shot down/suppressed, 51 jet drones, 37 jet drones shot down, 2 S8000; ~30 in the air by evening; night attack from 6 directions; strikes on Kyiv infrastructure on 30.10.
- [Россия атаковала Украину почти 140 дронами, есть погибшие и раненые](https://mignews.com/news/ukraine/rossiya-atakovala-ukrainu-pochti-140-dronami-est-pogibshie-i-ranenye.html) - Подтверждено по источнику mignews.com
- [Россия атаковала Украину 160 дронами, ПВО сбила или подавила 117 беспилотников](https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/sport/_rossiya-atakovala-ukrainu-160-dronami-pvo-sbila-ili-podavila-117-bespilotnikov/1260030) - Confirms the scale of the attack and air defense operations, but cites different figures (160/117) — likely an intermediate report; discrepancy recorded in versions.
- [Россия за ночь атаковала Украину 173 дронами: ПВО сбила 134](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/09/26/8055123/) - Подтверждено по источнику pravda.com.ua

## FAQ

### How many drones did Russia deploy on October 31, 2026?

According to RBC-Ukraine citing the Air Force, during the day (06:30–19:30) — 168 strike drones, including 51 jet-powered ones and S8000 'Banderol/Dan-T'. Gazeta.ua indicates 160.

### How many UAVs did air defense shoot down?

According to the Air Force report — 122, including 37 jet drones and two S8000 units. By evening, about 30 drones remained in the air. Gazeta.ua reports 117.

### Were there consequences for Kyiv?

Yes. On the evening of October 30, drones hit a critical infrastructure facility in Kyiv three times, causing power grid failures, a drop in water supply pressure, and leaving some districts without water.