In the early hours of 15 December 2024, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine, employing an S-300 anti-aircraft missile, 108 Shahed attack drones, and other UAV types. The assault originated from Russian territory, specifically from the areas of Kursk, Orel, Bryansk, and Millerovo, according to the Ukrainian Air Force Command.
The Ukrainian Defence Forces successfully repelled the air attack using anti-aircraft missile systems, aviation, electronic warfare units, mobile fire groups, and other defensive measures.
By 08:30, Ukrainian air defence had confirmed the destruction of 56 drones across nine regions: Chernihiv, Sumy, Kyiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Khmelnytsky, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk.
Additionally, 49 drones failed to reach their intended targets due to active countermeasures, while three drones returned to Russian territory.
Despite the effective defence, debris from downed drones caused damage to infrastructure, apartment buildings, private homes, vehicles, and other property in several regions. Efforts are underway to assist those affected by the attack.