Ukraine Downs 72 Russian Drones Amid Widespread Nighttime Attack

Ukraine's air defense successfully intercepted 72 of the 76 Russian Shahed drones launched during the night of 13-14 September. The Russian forces initiated the strike from various locations, including Russia's Kursk and Yeisk, as well as Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea. In the aftermath, two drones disappeared from Ukrainian radar, while two others returned to Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the large-scale drone attack, noting that air defense systems were activated across several regions, including Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Donetsk, Sumy, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy. He emphasized Ukraine's ongoing need for enhanced air defense and long-range capabilities to protect civilians. According to Zelensky, Ukraine is working with international partners to bolster these defensive measures.

Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups were all involved in repelling the attack. The coordinated effort of these forces ensured the successful downing of most of the drones, minimizing the damage caused by the strike.

Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Ukrainian forces advanced in Russia's Kursk Oblast, specifically in the Glushkovo district. Geolocated footage from 13 September showed Ukrainian units progressing south of Veseloye, a village near the international border. Russian sources reported that Ukrainian troops attacked near Novy Put, Veseloye, and Medvezhye, southwest of Glushkovo.

According to the ISW, the Russian military may need to relocate additional units to the Kursk region to strengthen its counteroffensive efforts. So far, the Russian forces in the area consist mainly of conscripts, lacking combat...