In July, Ukraine's air defense forces intercepted more than 5,300 Russian drones and missiles
In July 2026, while repelling massive attacks by the Russian Federation, Ukraine’s Air Defense Forces intercepted 5,142 attack drones, 187 cruise missiles, and 29 ballistic missiles. In total, Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed or neutralized more than 5,300 enemy aerial targets.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the enemy deployed more than 9,000 attack drones and missiles during its airstrikes (excluding reconnaissance UAVs).
Throughout July 2026, air defense forces intercepted 5,142 attack drones of the Shahed, “Gerbera,” “Italmas,” and other types, as well as 216 missiles of various types.
In addition, more than 48,000 tactical-level drones were neutralized.
As noted by the Ministry of Defense, the tally includes the results of operations by aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces during the repulsion of attacks.
The ministry emphasized that “Ukrainian air defense operated in July under conditions of a critical shortage of interceptor missiles to counter ballistic terror.”
The largest attacks in July occurred on the 2nd, 6th, and 30th.
During a massive attack on the night of July 2, the enemy deployed four “Zircon” anti-ship missiles, 24 “Iskander-M”/S-400 ballistic missiles, 34 Kh-101 cruise missiles, eight “Kalibr” missiles, four Kh-59/69 guided air-to-ground missiles, and nearly 500 long-range drones of various types.
Under these conditions, the Ministry of Defense noted, Ukrainian forces shot down or neutralized 476 drones, 44 out of 46 cruise and guided air-to-ground missiles, but only 4 out of 28 missiles that followed a ballistic trajectory.
As the ministry noted, an attack on the night of July 6 was similar in scale—the Russians deployed 68 missiles and over 350 drones. Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 326 UAVs and 37 out of 39 cruise missiles. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that they were unable to intercept the ballistic missiles.
The third-largest attack in July took place on the night of the 30th. During this combined missile-and-drone attack, the Russian military launched 74 missiles of various types and over 280 drones. Ukrainian air defenders intercepted 265 of 284 attack UAVs, 54 cruise missiles, and one ballistic missile.
As the Ministry of Defense emphasized, ballistic missiles remain the main challenge for air defense.
“The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is systematically working to expand air defense capabilities, particularly in collaboration with international partners—from acquiring new systems and interceptor missiles to developing other elements of layered defense,” the ministry stated.
In particular, Ukraine and the United Kingdom previously discussed strengthening air defense, aviation capabilities, and drone production, as well as anti-ballistic projects in which the British side could participate, the Ministry of Defense reported.
“Ukraine also counts on assistance in supplying missiles for air defense systems and Meteor missiles for Gripen aircraft. This is important for countering Russian guided munitions carriers, of which the enemy deployed more than 8,000 units in July,” the Ministry of Defense noted.
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