In the early hours of July 31, Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted russian cruise missile over Kyiv, marking another critical moment in the ongoing air campaign over Ukraine. According to the Presidential Brigade, one of its MANPADS crews shot down the missile during a nighttime air assault.
The engagement was carried out by the anti-aircraft missile and artillery division of the Brigade, which operates portable air defense systems. The targeted missile was identified as an Iskander-K, a cruise variant of russia's Iskander missile system, known for its low-altitude flight path and precision strike capability.
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The moment of interception was captured on video and later released on the official page of the Presidential Brigade. The footage offers a rare glimpse into the complex and high-risk work of Ukrainian air defense teams operating in urban environments under night combat conditions.
The successful downing of the missile underscores the adaptability and vigilance of Ukraine's mobile air defense units, especially given that the Iskander-K missiles are typically designed to evade radar detection and air defense systems by flying at low altitudes.
Russia has increasingly used the Iskander-K missiles in its attacks against Ukrainian cities due to their advanced guidance systems and high speed. However, Ukraine's experience in countering cruise missile threats, combined with real-time coordination and ground-based interception capabilities, continues to neutralize a portion of these attacks.
The incident highlights the importance of short-range air defense solutions, particularly man-portable air defense systems, in Ukraine's multi-layered air defense network. While strategic systems like the Patriot and NASAMS protect large areas, smaller and mobile units like the one involved in this operation fill critical gaps.
As Defense Express previously reported, on the night of July 31, Kyiv endured a fresh wave of russian assaults as cruise missiles and hundreds of the Shahed drones struck the capital. While Ukrainian air defenses shot down nearly all 288 UAVs, only three out of eight Iskander‑K missiles were intercepted.
The missiles' lethal effectiveness stems from their launch from Kursk region, which left defenders minimal reaction time, and from the mobility and stealth of their launchers, making them significantly harder to counter than other cruise types like the Kh‑101 or Kalibr.
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