Russia hits Ukraine with 93 drones overnight; 69 downed as of 08:00, attack still ongoing
On the night of September 18, Russia struck Ukraine with 93 strike drones and Banderol/Dan-T loitering munitions launched from multiple directions. Ukrainian air defense had neutralized 69 drones and 3 loitering munitions as of 08:00, with the attack still ongoing and direct hits recorded at 13 locations.
Key points
- Russia launched 93 strike drones and Banderol/Dan-T loitering munitions overnight on September 18, starting from 18:00 on September 17
- 46 of the 93 drones were jet-powered Shahed-type; the rest included Gerbera drones and Parodia imitator drones
- Launch directions included the Russian cities of Orel and Millerovo, occupied Donetsk, occupied Crimea (Hvardiiske), and the Sea of Azov waters
- As of 08:00 on September 18, air defense had neutralized 69 drones (Shahed, Gerbera, other types) and 3 Banderol/Dan-T loitering munitions
- Direct hits by enemy air attack means were recorded at 13 locations; falling debris from intercepted munitions hit 3 additional locations
- Aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups were engaged in repelling the attack
- As of 08:00 the attack was still ongoing, with Russian drones remaining in Ukrainian airspace
Why it matters
The attack was a large-scale, multi-axis combined strike using both strike drones and loitering munitions launched from Russian mainland territory as well as occupied areas. It was still ongoing at 08:00, signaling a sustained and extended assault. Direct hits were recorded at 13 locations, with further damage from debris at 3 more, indicating widespread impact across Ukraine.
What happened
On the night of September 18, starting from 18:00 on September 17, Russia launched 93 strike drones at Ukraine. Of these, 46 were jet-powered Shahed-type drones; the rest were Gerbera drones, Parodia drone-imitators, and other types. Russia also deployed Banderol/Dan-T loitering munitions as part of the strike. The drones were launched from multiple directions, including the Russian cities of Orel and Millerovo, occupied Donetsk, the occupied Crimean settlement of Hvardiiske, and the waters of the Sea of Azov.
According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as of 08:00 on September 18, air defense had neutralized 69 enemy drones (Shahed, Gerbera, and other types) and 3 Banderol/Dan-T loitering munitions. Aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups were involved in repelling the attack. Direct hits by enemy air attack means were recorded at 13 locations, while falling debris from intercepted munitions was recorded at 3 additional locations. As of 08:00 the attack was still ongoing, with Russian drones remaining in Ukrainian airspace; information on enemy munitions that did not reach their targets was being clarified.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian sources cover the attack in operational detail, breaking down launch directions, drone types, and the air defense units involved — aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups. Coverage highlights defensive results (69 of 93 drones neutralized as of 08:00) while acknowledging 13 direct-hit locations and the fact that the strike was still in progress, presenting the event as an active and continuing defense operation. The information was released by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine via Telegram.
Where reporting differs
Sources differ on the total number of neutralized targets. Air Force figures as of 08:00 state 69 drones plus 3 Banderol/Dan-T loitering munitions were neutralized (72 total). An earlier Telegram message from the Air Force said more than 70 drones and Banderolies had been neutralized since the evening. Some article tallies report 72 drones neutralized out of 93 launched. The discrepancy reflects different time cutoffs and different ways of counting the loitering munitions alongside the drones.
Background
Russia's combined use of Shahed-type drones, Gerbera drones, drone-imitators, jet-powered variants, and Banderol/Dan-T loitering munitions reflects a layered air attack doctrine that mixes decoys with strike assets. The choice of launch directions — Russian mainland cities such as Orel and Millerovo, alongside occupied Donetsk, Crimea, and the Sea of Azov waters — illustrates the multi-axis nature of the assault.