Ukraine: Country intercepted more than 90% of drones used during Monday’s attack

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Ukrainian forces intercepted over 90 percent of drones and shot down 37 ballistic missiles during a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv and other regions, though challenges remain in fully countering missile strikes. President Zelensky urged NATO to provide advanced air defense systems, including U.S. Patriot missiles, to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to protect civilian areas and critical infrastructure amid ongoing Russian assaults.

Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted over 90 percent of the drones launched during a major missile and drone assault on Monday, according to Ukrainian military officials. The attack targeted Kyiv and several other regions amid intensifying hostilities between Ukraine and Russia.

Ukrainian forces reported shooting down 37 ballistic missiles and more than 90 percent of the 351 drones used in the attack. However, only four of 49 ballistic missiles launched in July were intercepted, highlighting ongoing challenges in countering Russia’s missile strikes.

The assault resulted in at least 18 fatalities in Kyiv, with emergency services continuing search and rescue efforts overnight to recover bodies from damaged buildings. Prosecutors reported an additional 10 deaths in the surrounding Kyiv region. Many residential buildings suffered significant damage, particularly in Vyshneve, a suburb outside the capital. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko described nearly 30 buildings as severely impacted by the strikes.

Outside Kyiv, casualties were reported in other regions as well. In southeastern Zaporizhzhia, a drone strike on a fueling station killed two people. In Sumy region, near the Russian border, two residents died in separate Russian drone attacks. These attacks come amid Moscow’s attempts to expand a buffer zone in areas close to its border.

The day’s attacks followed last Thursday’s deadliest strike on Kyiv this year, which killed 31 people. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that the bodies of an entire family were recovered from the rubble during Monday’s rescue operations.

Russia’s Defence Ministry characterized the assaults as a “massive” operation involving long-range, high-precision weapons launched from air, land, and sea platforms, targeting both military and energy infrastructure in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions. The ministry also cited attacks on military airfields across several regions.

As the ground offensive slows amid Ukrainian resistance and counterattacks, Moscow has escalated air strikes as a strategic measure. This includes attempts to degrade Ukraine’s military logistics and energy sectors, while Ukrainian forces continue to reclaim territory along the approximately 1,200-kilometer front line. Ukrainian officials disputed Russian claims of capturing the eastern city of Kostiantynivka, a strategically important location.

On Monday, Ukraine announced successful strikes on three Russian oil refineries—including the country’s largest facility in Omsk, more than 2,400 kilometers from the front—and two “shadow fleet” vessels in the Sea of Azov. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for urgent decisions during the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey to provide Ukraine with enhanced air defense capabilities. He emphasized the need for U.S. Patriot missile systems, stating that licensed production in Ukraine could enable the country to defend itself and support allies.

“Weak air defenses enable Russia to continue targeting residential buildings,” Zelensky said on social media, appealing to the United States and Europe to increase support and halt what he described as Russian terror attacks.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.