According to Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat, Russian forces conducted a massive missile attack on Ukraine at night, using both air and sea bases. Thanks to air defense efforts, 16 of the 24 attacked targets were shot down. Ihnat presented this information during the telethon.
"We do not speak about this publicly. We can talk about regions, critical infrastructure objects, or possibly military facilities. The heads of the RMA will inform about the consequences. Because this information is sensitive and the enemy can draw some conclusions," Ihnat said.
Ihnat said that the air alert was announced throughout Ukraine and lasted almost until morning. During the attack, the enemy used cruise missiles that were launched from air and sea bases. It is known that Tu-22MZ aircraft based at the Shaykivka and Mozdok airfields launched X-22 missiles that struck the Donetsk region, near the city of Kramatorsk.
This was followed by missile launches from the Caspian Sea. Tu-95 strategic bombers fired X-101 and X-555 missiles, about 20 in total.
"Air defense was actually operating throughout our country, in the areas where the missiles were fired. And if we add the Kalibrs from the Black Sea, we managed to shoot down 16 out of 24 cruise missiles. Unfortunately, we failed to destroy the X-22 missiles. As you know, these missiles attack with a ballistic trajectory," Ihnat said.
The speaker also emphasized that the X-555, X-101 and Kalibr missiles are typical weapons often used by Russian troops for attacks. The use of Shahed missiles was not observed in this attack. Regarding the nature of the attack, Ihnat explained that Russia uses cruise missiles that move in one direction but change their course.
"A person who writes a message on our Telegram channel actually writes three words to get the message out faster, and the missile is already turning in the other direction by then. Therefore, the enemy programs the missile's routes to confuse air defense and mislead us. Ultimately, the Air Force is ready for such things. The only question is that we need more means to destroy more missiles on the approach to our borders," the speaker emphasized.
