Ukraine Downs 93 of 96 Shahed Drones as Russia Intensifies Attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv

Nov 3, 2024, 08:05 AM

Overnight, Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other Ukrainian cities, deploying 96 Shahed drones—including 66 regular drones and 27 electronic warfare variants—and one Kh-59/69 cruise missile. Ukrainian air defenses successfully destroyed 93 of the drones and the cruise missile, with another drone reportedly returning to Belarus. The attacks mark an escalation in Russia's aerial campaign against Ukraine, with drone assaults increasing over recent months. On the day, 71 Shahed drones targeted Kyiv alone. In September, Russia deployed 1,331 drones, averaging approximately 44 per day, while in October, the number rose to 1,908 drones, averaging about 62 per day. Ukrainian officials have called for the lifting of restrictions that prevent them from striking drone launch sites within Russia, arguing that these limitations hinder their ability to protect against ongoing attacks.