Kyiv’s success during the June 10 attack demonstrates the growing sophistication of the Ukrainian air defense system—but also the increasing pressure the system is facing against the Russian onslaught.
The Russo-Ukrainian War, now in its fourth year, has seen a sharp escalation in recent months. In the early hours of June 10, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv experienced a prolonged aerial assault involving more than 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The attack lasted for five hours, and took place across seven of the capital’s ten districts.
Kyiv Is Under Siege
The recent drone attack against Kyiv was one of the largest and most technically complex air assaults since the beginning of the war in February 2022. The attack featured a combined total of 315 aerial threats, according to Ukrainian sources. The attack was launched in waves throughout the early morning hours.
According to Ukrainian military officials, Russia’s attack was intended to overwhelm the capital’s air defense systems through sheer volume and tactical diversity. Casualties were relatively light; during the attack, one person was killed and four injured. However, the attack inflicted significant destruction on Ukrainian infrastructure. It also damaged the Saint Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The drones used in the attack were primarily, the Iranian-made Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 loitering munitions, commonly referred to as “kamikaze drones.” The Shahed is designed to fly at low altitudes and follow unpredictable flight paths, making them extremely difficult to detect and intercept. The Shahed is a cost effective weapon; at $20,000 per unit for the 136 model, the drone is capable of delivering a 30-40-kilogram warhead within an operational range of up to 2,000 kilometers.
In addition to the drones, Russia also launched Iskander-M ballistic missiles and probably Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles. The Iskander is a short-range ballistic missile with a range of up to 500 km and a payload capacity of up to 700 kg. The Iskander follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory and can maneuver in-flight; like the Shahed drone, it is very difficult to intercept.
The Kh-101 cruise missile, on the other hand, is a stealthy, long-range weapon with a reported range of up to 2,500 km. It can fly at low altitudes and adjust its route mid-flight using GPS and inertial navigation—further complicating the task of air defense efforts.
Ukraine’s Air Defense System Remains Relatively Strong
Still, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence announced that it had successfully intercepted 277 out of the 315 aerial threats—an 88 percent success rate. The Ukrainian defense network consists of many Western systems, including the IRIS-T, NASAM, and Patriot missiles, as well as legacy Soviet systems such as the S-300.
Kyiv’s success during the June 10 attack demonstrates the growing sophistication of the Ukrainian air defense system—but also the increasing pressure the system is facing against the Russian onslaught. As Ukrainian defense officials noted, the scale and variety of the attacks were designed to overwhelm and exhaust interceptor stockpiles and exploit gaps in radar coverage.
Regardless, the Ukrainians did an admirable job of deflecting the majority of the attack. Key infrastructure, including Kyiv’s power grid and major hospitals, remained operational throughout the attack.
The attack appears to represent an evolution in Russia’s aerial campaign tactics. Through the combination of low-cost drones with more advanced missile systems, Russia is testing Ukraine’s ability to sustain multi-tiered defense responses. The strategy also places a psychological strain on the Ukrainian civilian population. Defense officials have warned that repeated attacks of this scale will deplete missile defense stockpiles faster than they can be replenished.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
Image: Shutterstock / photowalking.
