Russia Launches Unprecedented Attack with 574 Kamikaze Drones and Hypersonic Zircon Missiles on Ukraine

The Russian Armed Forces launched a record-breaking assault overnight. The attack involved the deployment of 574 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and 40 missiles of various types, including “Kinzhals” and “Kalibrs,” as detailed in an official statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

For the first time, the strikes included a massive launch of hypersonic Zircon missiles. According to sources, the missiles were fired from the Black Sea and targeted several regions of Ukraine, including Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk, where powerful explosions were reported.

The Zircon missiles, which are capable of reaching speeds exceeding Mach 9, confirm Russia’s ability to strike targets at considerable distances. A russian military correspondents state that the strikes focused on military infrastructure belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), targeting ammunition depots and command posts. The assault also included Kalibr cruise missiles and Geran drones, further amplifying the scale of the operation.

Ukrainian air defense forces reported that they successfully destroyed or neutralized 577 aerial targets during the assault. This included 546 Shahed UAVs and drone imitators, one Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile, 18 Kh-101 cruise missiles, and 12 Kalibr cruise missiles. Despite these interception efforts, the Ukrainian Armed Forces noted that missiles and attack drones struck 11 locations throughout the country, with debris from downed objects reported in three additional regions.

In response to the ongoing strikes, an air raid alert has been issued across Ukraine, with local authorities urging residents to seek shelter. While there are no official reports of casualties or damage at this time, explosions and sirens have been heard in Kyiv and other cities. The attack had a significant impact on critical infrastructure, targeting military and energy facilities across Ukraine.