Russia Strikes Ukraine with Missile and 164 Drones: Air Defense Intercepts 150.

Massive Attack on Ukraine on March 30, 2023

According to UATV: On March 30, 2023, Russian forces launched a large-scale assault on Ukrainian territory, deploying an Iskander-M ballistic missile alongside 164 attack drones. The offensive, which began with drone launches at 6:00 PM on March 29, originated from multiple locations across Russia, including Crimea.

Several drone models were used in this operation, such as:

• Shahed
• Gerbera
• Italmas
• others

According to reports, 150 drones were either shot down or neutralized during the attack. However, the ballistic missile and 12 attack drones successfully struck seven different sites, underscoring the severity of the threat. This incident highlights the ongoing escalation in the conflict, as Russia continues to refine its tactics by combining missile and drone strikes to overwhelm defenses.

Drone Launch Sites

The drones were launched from several locations, including:

• Bryansk
• Oryol
• Kursk
• Millerovo
• Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia)
• Chauda
• Gvardeyskoe (Autonomous Republic of Crimea)

Debris falls were recorded in two areas, confirming ongoing military activity in the region. While Ukraine's air defense efforts successfully intercepted the majority of drones, the missile impacts reveal critical gaps that require bolstering. This attack ranks among the largest in recent months, demonstrating Russia's adaptive approach to maximize operational impact.