Russia fired 317 missiles and drones at Ukraine at night: what they hit and how air defense reacted
31 July 2025 11:26
On the night of July 31, Russian troops attacked with 309 attack drones and 8 cruise missiles. The air defense system neutralized 291 enemy targets. This was reported by the Air Force, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
However, direct hits of 5 missiles (one of them in a residential building in Kyiv) and 21 attack UAVs were recorded in 12 locations, as well as the fall of downed aircraft (debris) in 19 locations, almost all in the capital.
It is noted that Russia attacked with 317 airborne weapons:
- 309 Shahed-type strike UAVs and various types of imitator drones from the directions of: Bryansk, Millerovo, Shatalovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia,
- 8 Iskander-K cruise missiles from the Kursk region in Russia.
The main target of the attack was Kyiv.
The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
According to preliminary data, as of 09.00, air defense shot down/ suppressed 291 enemy air attack vehicles:
- 288 attack UAVs;
- 3 Iskander-K cruise missiles.
The spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat, said in a telethon that on the evening of July 30, up to eight Shahed-type jet drones were spotted in Ukrainian airspace.
Probably, some of them had jet engines, or they were imitation drones imitating Shaheds with internal combustion engines.
“In fact, radar-wise, it looks like a cruise missile – the speed can reach over 500 km/h. It is difficult to intercept such targets, not all air defense systems can cope with it,” explained the spokesman.
One of the key points is the distinctive sound, which differs from the usual Shahed, which helps to identify them in flight.
Ihnat also noted that it is not a question of massive use of jet UAVs, but the case of eight drones is already a serious signal:
“Last night confirmed that at least 8 jet UAVs were definitely spotted.”
The Air Force spokesman emphasized that the use of such drones is a new challenge for Ukraine’s air defense systems.
