On the night of May 17, the Russian Federation launched one of the largest attacks on Ukraine, using 287 strike drones from various directions. The Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the vast majority of the drones were neutralized thanks to the coordinated work of air defense.
This is reported by Finway
Scale of the Attack and Actions of Ukrainian Air Defense
According to operational information, all main units were involved in repelling the air attack: aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces, as well as drone systems. As a result of this operation, as of 08:00, Ukrainian air defense forces shot down or suppressed 279 drones of various types, including Shahed, “Herbera”, “Italmas”, and imitation drones “Parody”. The attacks occurred in the north, south, and east of the country.
“Eight strike drones were recorded hitting seven locations, and debris fell in seven locations,” the Air Forces noted.
Consequences of the Shelling and Qualification of Russia’s Actions
Despite the significant success of Ukrainian air defense, some strike drones managed to hit seven targets across Ukraine, and debris was recorded in another seven locations. Such attacks by Russia are once again aimed at civilian infrastructure, residential areas, and critical infrastructure facilities.
Russian troops continue to systematically use various weapons — strike UAVs, missiles, aerial bombs, and multiple launch rocket systems — to attack Ukrainian cities and villages. The Ukrainian authorities, along with international organizations, consider such actions as war crimes with a targeted nature. In particular, strikes on life support systems, energy infrastructure, and healthcare facilities are viewed as signs of genocidal actions aimed at depriving the population of essential living conditions — electricity, heating, water supply, communication, and medical assistance.
Despite numerous testimonies and facts, the leadership of Russia continues to deny carrying out targeted strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, even though hospitals, schools, kindergartens, and energy and water supply facilities are being destroyed as a result of the shelling, and among the victims are civilians.