Throughout June, Ukrainian air defences intercepted nearly 5,300 aerial threats. The ministry said Ukrainian forces shot down 90% of Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas and other drones, 40% of ballistic missiles, and 89.4% of other missile types.
The overall interception rate during large-scale enemy attacks reached 89%, according to the ministry. It said ballistic missiles remained the greatest threat because their interception requires advanced missile defence systems such as Patriot, which are in limited supply worldwide.
One of the largest attacks took place overnight into 2 June, when Russian forces launched eight Zircon anti-ship missiles, 33 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 32 Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles, and more than 650 attack drones. The ministry said Ukrainian forces intercepted 92% of drones and 90% of cruise missiles, while 11 of 41 ballistic missiles were shot down.
A similarly large-scale attack took place overnight into 15 June, involving six Zircon anti-ship missiles, 34 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 30 Kh-101 and Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 611 attack drones. Despite the complexity of the attack, Ukrainian air defences intercepted half of the ballistic missiles, 95% of the drones and all cruise missiles launched against Ukraine.
Ukraine is working with international partners to expand its air defence capabilities, the ministry said. These efforts include receiving new systems and interceptor missiles, as well as developing other elements of layered defence.
The ministry said modern combat aircraft are one of the key elements of this system. It said an agreement signed at the end of June to procure 16 Swedish Gripen E fighter aircraft will strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities and help counter Russian aerial attacks more effectively.
