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Ukraine’s air defense forces intercepted and destroyed more than 57,000 Russian aerial targets during May 2026, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, UATV English informs.
In a monthly summary published on Telegram, the Air Force reported that Ukrainian defenders shot down a wide range of missiles and drones, including:
- 2 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles;
- 50 Kh-101 cruise missiles;
- 10 Iskander-M / KN-23 ballistic missiles;
- 11 Kalibr cruise missiles;
- 14 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided air-to-surface missiles;
- 24 Iskander-K missiles;
- 5,053 Shahed-type attack drones;
- 1,316 reconnaissance drones;
- 50,894 other unmanned aerial vehicles.
The figures underscore the increasingly drone-centric nature of Russia’s air campaign, with UAVs accounting for the overwhelming majority of intercepted targets.
The Air Force also reported conducting 1,089 combat sorties during the month, including:
- More than 700 missions focused on fighter air patrols and air-cover operations;
- Approximately 230 missions involving strikes against enemy targets and close air support for Ukrainian ground forces.
The statistics come amid a continued escalation in Russia’s use of drones and missile attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, prompting Ukraine and its partners to expand investments in air defense systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and interceptor drones.
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