On the night of July 2, russians launched yet another massive combined attack, with Kyiv as the primary target. Since previous similar large-scale attacks took place on June 2 and 15, this points to the emergence of a two-week operational cycle that russia likely requires to prepare such strikes.
According to a report from the Ukrainian Air Force Command, on the night of July 2, the enemy launched:
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- 4 × Zircon hypersonic missiles — 0 intercepted (0%);
- 24 × 9K720 Iskander / S-400 ballistic missiles — 4 intercepted (16.7%);
- 34 × Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles — 32 intercepted (94.1%);
- 8 × Kalibr cruise missiles — 8 intercepted (100%);
- 4 × Kh-59/69 guided air-to-ground missiles — 4 intercepted (100%);
- 496 × attack drones of various types — 476 intercepted (91.9%).
The published interception statistics highlight a critically low interception rate against ballistic missiles, with only four of 24 targets destroyed (16.7%), while none of the four Zircon hypersonic missiles were intercepted. Moreover, most of these missiles were headed specifically for Kyiv.
By comparison, during the June 15 attack, five out of six Zircon missiles were intercepted (83.3%), while 15 out of 34 ballistic missiles were shot down (44.1%). Earlier, during the June 2 attack, none of the eight Zircon missiles were intercepted, while 11 out of 33 ballistic missiles were successfully intercepted, representing a 33% interception rate.
At the same time, the reason why the attack on the night of July 2 was more effective for the enemy may lie in the shortage of missiles for the Patriot air defense system, which has already reached a critical level. russia appears to be fully relying on this strategy. Throughout June, it repeatedly targeted Kyiv with ballistic missiles outside the context of large-scale combined attacks, including on June 25.
It should be noted that, according to information available at the time of publication, the Kyiv City Military Administration reports that 86 people were wounded and 13 killed in the russian attack. Damage has been reported at more than 30 locations, including direct hits on residential apartment buildings, where people may still be trapped under the rubble.
From the Defense Express side, we urges you to join a fundraising for what is already working: One United Fundraiser: Fundraising by the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation for interceptor drones.
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