Ukrainian air defense intercepted nearly 90% of aerial threats during large-scale attacks in June
Ukraine's air defense continues to maintain a consistently high interception rate of nearly 90% against aerial threats.
According to the daily reports of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during large-scale attacks in June 2026, the enemy launched nearly 6,000 drones and missiles, compared with more than 8,300 in May.
How Ukraine’s air defense performed in June
Throughout June, Ukraine's air defense intercepted nearly 5,300 aerial threats.
Specifically, it shot down 90% of Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and other drones, 40% of ballistic missiles, and 89.4% of other missile types.
The overall interception rate for aerial threats during large-scale enemy attacks reached 89%.
The largest drone and missile attacks of June
During the hours-long attack overnight into June 2, the enemy launched eight Zircon anti-ship missiles, 33 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 32 Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles, and more than 650 attack drones.
The enemy sought to overwhelm Ukraine's air defense, but Ukrainian forces responded effectively, intercepting 92% of drones and 90% of cruise missiles. Among the most challenging targets to intercept—ballistic missiles—11 out of 41 were shot down.
A similarly large-scale attack took place overnight into June 15: the enemy launched six Zircon anti-ship missiles, 34 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 30 Kh-101 and Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 611 attack drones.
Despite the complexity of the large-scale aerial attack, Ukrainian air defense intercepted half of the ballistic missiles, 95% of the drones, and all cruise missiles launched against Ukraine.
Ballistic missiles remain the greatest threat. Intercepting them requires advanced missile defense systems such as Patriot, which are in limited supply worldwide. Ukraine, together with its international partners, is systematically working to expand its air defense capabilities—from receiving new systems and interceptor missiles to developing other elements of layered defense.
One of the key elements of this system is modern combat aircraft. That is why, at the end of June, an agreement was signed to procure 16 Swedish Gripen E fighter aircraft, which will strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities and help counter russian aerial attacks more effectively.