Ukraine intercepts drone barrage in latest Russian assault

During the night of October 5th to 6th, Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine using 87 Shahed drones. Ukrainian defence was highly effective, intercepting most of these unmanned aerial vehicles.

On this same night, October 5th to 6th, 2024, Russian forces executed another assault on Ukraine with drones and ballistic missiles. Ukrainian air defence systems successfully intercepted numerous enemy drones and missiles. According to reports from the Ukrainian Air Force, 56 out of 87 Shahed drones and two missiles were shot down.

As a result of Saturday's attacks, one civilian lost their life in the last 24 hours. Additionally, as reported on Telegram by Oleksandr Prokudin, head of regional authorities, 15 people were injured in the Kharkiv region.

Air raid alerts lasted for over five hours in eastern Ukraine. The head of Kyiv's military administration, Serhiy Popko, confirmed that all enemy aerial threats in the capital region were successfully neutralized, ensuring no significant damage in the Kyiv region.

The Russians employed various weapons to attack Ukraine, utilizing Shahed drones and numerous missiles. Ukrainian forces detected over 90 enemy combat units. Besides drones, they identified two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, one Iskander-K missile, one guided Kh-59/69 missile, and 87 drones.

Russia uses two variants of Shahed drones – Shahed-136 and Shahed-131, supplied by Iran. Despite their relatively simple construction, these drones pose a significant threat. The Shahed-136 measures approximately 3.35 metres in length and can reach speeds of up to 185 km/h, with a warhead weighing around 40 kilograms. The Shahed-131 is slightly smaller and can carry a warhead weighing approximately 10-15 kilograms.

The Kh-69 (Kh-59MK2) missile weighs about 800 kilograms, with the warhead accounting for 300 kilograms. A key advantage of this missile is its long range, reaching up to 400 kilometres. Additionally, its stealth design makes it challenging to detect and intercept during its flight to the target.

The Kh-69 missile is an advanced version of the Kh-59 missile, unveiled in 1991, equipped with stealth characteristics to enhance its elusiveness.

Iskander-M is a short-range ballistic missile system capable of precision attacks on targets up to about 500 kilometres away. This missile, just over 7 metres in length, is outfitted with advanced guidance systems to evade modern defence systems.

Iskander-K is a cruise missile system with a range of up to 600 kilometres. Distinguished by its slightly smaller dimensions compared to Iskander-M, it measures approximately 8.8 metres in length. Its advanced stealth technologies make Iskander-K missiles difficult for enemy air defence systems to detect.

Ukrainian forces mounted an effective defence against this offensive. They intercepted two missiles and 56 Shahed-type drones. Their defence involved aviation, missile units, electronic warfare units, and mobile firing groups.

After losing communication, 25 drones crashed, likely as a result of active countermeasures using electronic warfare. However, the Air Force did not disclose specific locations where the unmanned aerial vehicles fell.