On the night of 16 December 2024, Russia launched 49 attack drones, including Shahed UAVs, targeting multiple regions of Ukraine. Ukrainian defenders successfully shot down 27 drones, while another 19 were neutralised in flight and failed to reach their targets, according to the Air Force.
The drones were launched from Russia’s Bryansk and Orel Regions, with Ukrainian anti-aircraft, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire teams responding to the attack.
As of 8:30 a.m., the drones were intercepted over Chernihiv, Sumy, Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk Regions. No hits were recorded, and there are no reports of casualties or damage.
The remaining three UAVs are still being monitored as they remain airborne. The Defence Forces continue to maintain vigilance and effectively counter aerial threats.
