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Ukraine Neutralizes 124 Russian Drones in Latest Attack

Ukraine's air defense forces shot down 124 of 144 Russian drones during an attack on April 25-26. This assault involved multiple drone types launched from various regions in Russia.

Ukrinform ENBreaking2 min readUpdated 4/26/2026

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Published Apr 26, 2026, 5:37 AMUpdated Apr 26, 2026, 7:11 AM
Ukraine's air defense forces shot down 124 of 144 Russian drones during an attack on April 25-26. This assault involved multiple drone ty...

Photo: Ukrinform EN

At a glance

  • 124 of 144 Russian drones were neutralized by Ukraine's air defense.
  • The attack included various drones, notably Shahed-type.
  • Drones were launched from multiple locations in Russia and occupied territories.
  • Ukrainian forces utilized a multi-layered defense strategy.
  • Reports confirmed 19 successful strikes at 11 locations.

Why it matters

The successful neutralization of drones underscores the effectiveness of Ukraine's air defense systems. This incident reflects ongoing security challenges and the imperative of robust defense mechanisms in repelling aerial attacks.

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4116694-adf-neutralizes-124-russian-drones-since-yesterday-evening.html

What Happened

Ukraine's air defense forces successfully neutralized 124 out of 144 Russian drones that were launched in an attack that began on the evening of April 25. This operation was reported by the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine through their Facebook page on April 26.

The drone strike, which occurred during the night, included a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), notably Shahed-type drones, alongside other models such as Gerbera and Italmas. The drones were launched from several locations, including Kursk, Bryansk, Oryol, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as from occupied areas in Donetsk.

Key Details

Approximately 100 of the total drones involved were identified as Shahed-types, known for their jet propulsion. Ukrainian defense strategies deployed multiple layers of response, which included aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, and unmanned systems.

Additionally, mobile fire groups contributed to the defense efforts. By 08:00 on April 26, reports indicated that 124 UAVs had been either shot down or suppressed across northern, southern, and eastern Ukraine.

There were also accounts of significant strikes on 11 sites, with drone debris impacting six locations.

Why It Matters

This counterattack highlights the resilience of Ukraine's air defense capabilities amidst ongoing drone threats. The successful interception of such a large volume of drones showcases the effectiveness of Ukraine's military strategies and technologies in repelling aerial attacks.

Background

This incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian drone operations targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and military positions. Previous reports have indicated that during a more extensive assault on Dnipro, Ukraine's air defenses managed to neutralize up to 80% of incoming missiles and 94% of enemy drones during that operation.

Such statistics underline the ongoing challenges and the critical nature of maintaining robust air defense systems as the conflict progresses.

Source: Ukrinform EN

This report is maintained as a live newsroom article. Headlines and top paragraphs may be tightened when fresh reporting changes the clearest angle.

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