Russia attacks Ukraine with 173 drones overnight: air defence downs 134

What Happened

On the night of 25-26 September (from 18:00 on 25 September), Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 173 drones, including more than 50 jet-powered Shahed drones, Gerbera attack drones, and Parodiya decoy UAVs, according to Ukraine's Air Force. The drones were launched from the Russian cities of Oryol, Kursk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Shatalovo, as well as from Russian-controlled Donetsk and Hvardiiske in Crimea. As of 07:30 on 26 September, Ukrainian air defence forces had destroyed or jammed 134 Shahed, Gerbera, and other drones, the Air Force reported. It said hits by aerial assets were recorded at 19 locations, and debris from downed drones landed at eight locations.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The attack is one of the larger single-night drone waves reported by Ukraine, with a mix of jet-powered Shaheds, Gerbera strike drones, and decoy UAVs designed to saturate and confuse air defences. The launch geography—spanning Oryol, Kursk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Shatalovo, and Russian-controlled Crimea and Donetsk—illustrates Russia's dispersed launch network. The 19 recorded hits indicate that despite the 134 intercepts or jammings, some drones reached targets, sustaining pressure on Ukrainian air defence and civilian infrastructure.

Watch For

Monitor Ukraine's Air Force for a final post-strike tally, including damage assessments and any casualty reports from the 19 hit locations. Watch for Russian Ministry of Defence claims about targets struck, and observe whether Ukrainian air defence interception rates shift if Russia continues mixing decoy UAVs with high-speed Shaheds in subsequent nights.