Ukrainian air defence neutralises 131 of 157 Russian drones launched overnight; attack also on the Odesa region

Russia launched 157 attack drones against Ukraine overnight, starting at 18:00 on 2 October, as Ukraine’s Air Force announced this morning. By 09:00, Ukrainian air defence had shot down or suppressed 131 enemy drones — more than four-fifths of the attacking wave.

According to the announcement, the attack used Shahed-type attack drones, 45 of them with jet engines, as well as Gerbera and Parody decoy drones. The drones were launched from the Russian cities of Bryansk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as from the occupied territories — Donetsk and Crimea, through the Hvardiyske area.

The Ukrainian response engaged the whole spectrum of air defence: aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems and mobile fire groups. Russian drone hits were recorded at 12 locations, while debris from downed drones fell at five other locations.

On the morning of 3 October, the enemy also attacked the Odesa region with Bandarol loitering munitions; the consequences of the strike are still being clarified, The Kyiv Independent also reports.

The Air Force stresses that the attack continues: several enemy drones are still in Ukrainian airspace. It calls on citizens to carefully follow safety rules and the authorities’ instructions during air raid alerts.