On May 16, 2023, at approximately 3:30 AM, the russians launched an attack on Ukraine from the north, south and east directions, using 18 missiles of various types, including air, sea and ground-based systems.
All missiles were successfully destroyed by the Air Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Air Force, Ukraine's Air Force Command reports.
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Six Kh-47M2 Kinjal air-launched hypersonic missiles were launched from six MiG-31K aircraft, while nine Kalibr cruise missiles were launched from ships in the Black Sea. Additionally, three ground-launched missiles from the S-400 and Iskander-M systems were also launched.
Moreover, during the night of May 16, russia carried out attacks using strike drones of the Shahed-136/131 type and conducted aerial reconnaissance with three operational-tactical level drones, namely Orlan-10 and Supercam UAVs. All of them were successfully destroyed.
Should be noted that russia lacks the Kh-47M2 Kinjal missiles. They are usually launched unsystematically and sporadic, but it is the second time this month that russia utilizes the Kh-47 missiles in a salvo. Previously, the missile was successfully intercepted and destroyed by the Patriot surface-to-air missile system.
Indeed, the previous instance of the russians extensively using their scarce missiles was during the attack on the night of March 9, 2023. Six Kinjal missiles were also launched, targeting ordinary transformer substations.
Read more: Why Poland's Air Defense Didn't Take Down russian Kh-55 in December, Polish Media Explains
