Ukrainian air defence intercepted over 5,300 aerial targets during large-scale attacks in July
Ukrainian air defence intercepted more than 5,300 drones and missiles last month while repelling large-scale enemy attacks.
According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy used over 9,000 strike drones and missiles in these air attacks, not counting reconnaissance UAVs.
How Ukrainian air defence performed in July
Over the course of July 2026, air defence forces intercepted:
- 5,142 strike drones of the Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas and other types;
- 216 missiles of various types.
More than 48,000 tactical-level drones were also neutralised.
The count draws on the results achieved by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defence Forces of Ukraine while repelling the attacks.
The largest drone and missile attacks of July
In July, Ukrainian air defence operated amid a critical shortage of interceptor missiles for countering ballistic terror.
Large-scale night attack on 2 July
On the night of 2 July, the enemy used four Zircon anti-ship missiles, 24 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, 34 Kh-101 cruise missiles, eight Kalibr missiles, four Kh-59/69 guided air-launched missiles and almost 500 long-range drones of various types.
Under these conditions Ukrainian forces shot down or suppressed 476 drones and 44 of the 46 cruise and guided air-launched missiles, but only four of the 28 missiles travelling on a ballistic trajectory.
Missile and UAV strikes on the night of 6 July
The attack on the night of 6 July was close in scale: the enemy used 68 missiles and more than 350 drones. Ukrainian air defence intercepted 326 UAVs and 37 of the 39 cruise missiles. Unfortunately, the ballistic missiles could not be intercepted.
Combined missile and drone attack on the night of 30 July
The third largest attack of July came on the night of 30 July, when the enemy launched 74 missiles of various types and more than 280 drones. Ukraine’s air defenders intercepted 265 of the 284 strike UAVs, 54 cruise missiles and one ballistic missile.
The Ministry of Defence is working to strengthen air defence
Ballistic missiles remain the main challenge for air defence. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is working systematically to expand air defence capabilities, including with international partners, from obtaining new systems and interceptor missiles to developing other elements of layered defence.
Earlier, Ukraine and the United Kingdom discussed strengthening air defence, air capabilities and drone production, as well as anti-ballistic projects in which the British side could take part.
Ukraine is also counting on assistance with supplies of missiles for air defence systems and Meteor missiles for Gripen aircraft. This matters for countering Russian aircraft that carry guided aerial bombs, more than 8,000 of which the enemy used in July.