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Ukraine’s air defense forces intercepted 14.5 times more aerial targets in May 2026 than the United States and its allies did during recent operations in the Middle East, according to an analysis by Ukrainian defense technology company Andromeda Group.
The company, which specializes in humanitarian demining and robotic systems, analyzed official data released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Air Force, UATV English reports.
According to the analysis, Iran launched 363 aerial threats against the United States and its partners during May, including 38 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and more than 310 Shahed-type attack drones.
Of those, allied forces intercepted 20 ballistic missiles, eight cruise missiles, and 249 drones, for a total of 277 aerial targets destroyed.
During the same period, Russia launched 5,285 aerial weapons against Ukraine, including 65 ballistic and aeroballistic missiles such as the Kinzhal and Iskander-M/KN-23, 120 cruise missiles, and 5,100 Shahed attack drones.
Ukrainian air defenses destroyed 13 ballistic missiles, 99 cruise missiles, and 5,053 drones, bringing the total number of intercepted aerial targets to 5,165.
According to Andromeda Group’s calculations, Ukraine therefore neutralized approximately 14.5 times more aerial threats in one month than U.S. and allied forces operating in the Middle East.
The company noted that its analysis excluded cases of double-counting among U.S. and allied interception reports. It also did not include Russian reconnaissance drones or guided aerial bombs destroyed by Ukrainian forces.
The figures highlight the unprecedented scale of Russia’s air campaign against Ukraine and the growing burden placed on the country’s air defense network as Moscow continues to increase missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, air defense units neutralized 189 of 198 drones launched by Russia overnight on June 2–3.
