Russia carried out a large combined strike using rockets and drones against Ukraine, primarily targeting Kyiv, on the night of May 24, 2024 [1].
The scale of the assault underscores the ongoing intensity of the conflict and the persistent threat to urban centers. Such coordinated attacks test the limits of Ukrainian air defense systems and infrastructure resilience.
Yuriy Ignat, the communications chief for the Ukrainian Air Force, said the operation involved a significant volume of munitions [1]. According to the report, Russia utilized 90 rockets during the attack [1].
In addition to the missile barrage, the Ukrainian Air Force said that over 600 drones were deployed [1]. The sheer number of aerial targets created a complex environment for defenders, making the strike particularly difficult to repel.
Kyiv served as the primary focus of the offensive [1]. The attack is described as part of Russia's broader, ongoing campaign to degrade Ukrainian capabilities and target key administrative hubs.
Ukrainian forces continue to monitor the airspace for subsequent waves of attacks. The use of combined assets, mixing high-speed missiles with slow-moving drones, is a tactic intended to saturate and overwhelm defensive radars [1].
“Russia utilized 90 rockets during the attack”
The use of over 600 drones alongside 90 missiles indicates a strategy of saturation, where Russia attempts to exhaust Ukrainian interceptor stockpiles and distract air defenses. By prioritizing Kyiv, Russia continues to target the political and logistical heart of the country to disrupt governance and morale.
