Shahed/Photo: Depositphotos
On the night of Saturday, 22 March 2025, Russian invaders launched a massive attack on Ukraine, launching 179 Shahed-type attack drones and imitation drones. This was reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The attack was launched from the Russian cities of Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as from the Chauda area in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
Aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare (EW) units and mobile fire teams were deployed to repel the air attack. According to the Air Force, as of 08:30 a.m., 100 Shahed and other types of attack UAVs were confirmed to have been shot down. The shootdowns took place in the southern, northern and central regions of the country. Another 63 enemy imitator drones were “locally lost” due to electronic warfare actions, which did not lead to negative consequences.
“The enemy attacked from the directions of Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Chauda. Most of the drones were destroyed by air defence or hit by electronic warfare,” the Air Force said.
Consequences of the attack
The Russian strike affected several regions of Ukraine, including Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Sumy and Kyiv oblasts. The night before, on Friday, drones attacked Zaporizhzhia. According to the latest reports, two people were killed and 13 others were injured in the city.
A fire broke out in a residential building in Kyiv region as a result of the wreckage of a downed Shahed. Information about the victims is currently being clarified.
Reacting to and fighting the aggressor
This attack was another act of aggression by Russia aimed at terrorising the civilian population and destroying Ukraine’s infrastructure. Thanks to the coordinated actions of the air defence and electronic warfare forces, a significant part of the threat was neutralised, but the consequences of the attack were still tragic.
The situation remains tense, and Ukrainian defenders continue to repel enemy attacks, demonstrating resilience and professionalism in confronting the aggressor.
