Record Interception and New Measure: Ukraine’s Air Defense Downs 89 Kamikaze Drones
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that on the night of July 31, 2024, russian forces launched 89 Shahed-136/131 long-range kamikaze drones and one Kh-59 aviation missile at Ukraine.
Most of these UAVs targeted the Kyiv region and the capital itself. According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, at least four dozen kamikaze drones were shot down by the air defense near Kyiv, and the air raid alert lasted several hours. Overall, the Air Force confirmed that all 89 Shaheds and the Kh-59 were intercepted during the night, thanks to various defense measures.
These measures included mobile fire groups from all components, air defense units, electronic warfare systems and tactical aviation of the Ukrainian Air Force. Notably, the report mentioned the involvement of the Army Aviation of the Ground Forces, which had not been previously reported. This likely refers to the use of army aviation helicopters as air hunters for the Shahed drones.
Such a large number of kamikaze drones, 89 units, had only been launched once before, during the raid on New Year’s Eve, January 1, 2024. As a result, Ukraine’s air defense achieved a record number of the Shahed interceptions on the night of July 31, 2024.