In May, the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed more than 57,000 enemy targets
Throughout May 2026, the air defense units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed more than 57,000 aerial targets, including missiles and various types of drones.
The defenders of Ukraine’s skies successfully repelled yet another large-scale air attack by Russian occupiers, demonstrating high operational effectiveness.
During the reporting period, air defense forces shot down several types of missiles used by Russian troops during regular massive shelling.
Specifically, they eliminated 2 Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” aeroballistic missiles, 50 Kh-101 cruise missiles, and 10 “Iskander-M/KN-23” ballistic missiles. The Russian army continues to actively use ballistic missiles in an attempt to breach the Ukrainian air defense shield.
In addition, anti-aircraft missile units shot down 11 Kalibr cruise missiles, 14 X-59/69 guided air-to-ground missiles, and 24 Iskander-K cruise missiles.
The successful interception of such a large number of complex targets prevented critical damage to energy and civilian infrastructure facilities. Every missile shot down means Ukrainian lives saved.
The majority of the downed targets were unmanned aerial vehicles launched by the enemy to wear down our air defense.
According to the Air Force, 5,053 Shahed-type attack drones and 1,316 reconnaissance drones were destroyed in May. The Russians use reconnaissance drones to direct artillery fire and identify the positions of Ukrainian troops.
The largest share of downed aerial targets consisted of smaller tactical-level unmanned aerial vehicles and reconnaissance quadcopters.
The military reported the destruction of 50,894 UAVs of other types in frontline and rear regions. Thus, the largest share of targets destroyed fell precisely on multi-purpose drones, which were actively used for attacks across Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian combat aviation made a significant contribution to the country’s defense, operating under constant threat from enemy fighter jets.
Over the course of the month, the Air Force conducted 1,089 sorties to carry out various combat missions. The flight intensity of Ukrainian pilots remains at an extremely high level.
The distribution of the flight schedule depended on the operational situation in various sections of the front line.
More than 700 of these flights were related to airspace fighter cover missions, and about 230 were related to strike missions and support for ground units.
Ukrainian aircraft were involved in the direct destruction of the occupiers’ logistics centers and command posts.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Air Force Command.
Russian drones attacked a residential area in Sumy
Russians launched a massive drone attack on Kharkiv, leaving several wounded
On the night of May 30, Russian troops launched a massive drone strike on the Shostka community in Sumy Oblast, damaging residential buildings and infrastructure.
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces carried out 911 strikes on 40 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The occupiers used aircraft, artillery, and hundreds of drones, damaging residential buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure.
