russia launched one of the largest combined air assaults against Ukraine overnight on March 14, targeting critical infrastructure across the country with a mix of drones and missiles. According to the Air Force, the attack began at 18:00 on March 13 and involved nearly 500 aerial threats, making it one of the most massive strikes recorded during the war.
In total, Ukrainian radar systems detected 498 air attack assets, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and hundreds of strike drones. The primary direction of the attack was Kyiv region, suggesting a continued russian focus on pressure against the capital and surrounding infrastructure.
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Russian drones and missiles attacked residential areas of Kyiv region https://t.co/n7EGGemfP7 #CrimesAgainstHumanity #ukraine pic.twitter.com/GOb8nNASRB
— Hope For Ukraine (@hopeforukraine) March 14, 2026
The missile component of the strike included two Zircon anti-ship missiles launched from temporarily occupied Crimea, 13 Iskander-M or S-400 ballistic missiles fired from russia's Bryansk region, as well as 25 Kalibr cruise missiles launched from ships in the Black and Caspian Seas. In addition, russian strategic aviation launched 24 Kh-101 cruise missiles from russia's Vologda region.
Air-launched precision weapons were also used during the attack. According to Ukrainian officials, russian aircraft fired four guided Kh-59/69 missiles from launch areas in russia's Kursk region and the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region.
However, the bulk of the strike consisted of unmanned aerial vehicles. Russia deployed 430 attack drones, including Shahed-type loitering munitions as well as Gerbera, Italmas and other UAV models. Approximately 250 of these drones were Shahed-type, launched from multiple directions including Bryansk, Kursk, Oryol, Shatalovo, Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in russia, as well as launch sites in Crimea.
Ukraine's air defense network responded with a multi-layered defense involving fighter aviation, surface-to-air missile units, electronic warfare systems, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups. This coordinated effort allowed Ukrainian defenders to intercept the majority of incoming threats.
As of 09:00, preliminary data indicated that 460 aerial targets had been destroyed or suppressed, including 58 missiles and 402 drones. Among the intercepted weapons were one Zircon missile, seven ballistic missiles, all 25 Kalibr cruise missiles, all 24 Kh-101 missiles, one Kh-59/69 missile, and hundreds of drones.
Despite the high interception rate, the attack still caused damage. Ukrainian authorities reported six missile strikes and 28 drone impacts across 11 locations, while debris from downed drones fell in seven additional areas. The information regarding four additional missiles remains under verification as damage assessments continue.
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