Kyiv Repels Largest Drone Attack with 75 Iranian-Made UAVs Launched

Capital’s Air Defenses Tested by Unprecedented Drone Swarm

Ukrainian forces successfully repelled the largest drone attack on Kyiv to date on November 25, 2023, with 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched in waves over six hours, testing the capital’s multi-layered air defense systems.

Key Facts

Drones launched: 75 Shahed-136/131
Duration: 6-hour continuous waves
Interception rate: 74 of 75 destroyed
Damage: Limited, primarily from debris

Attack Pattern

The assault featured:

Multiple wave tactics
Different approach vectors
Decoy drone usage
Saturation attempts

Air Defense Response

Ukrainian systems employed:

Mobile fire groups
Electronic warfare
Integrated radar networks
Multi-layer coverage

Tactical Evolution

New elements included:

Route variation complexity
Timing coordination
Altitude adjustments
Speed variations

Debris Impact

Falling fragments caused:

Residential building damage
Vehicle destruction
Power line hits
Fire incidents

Civilian Response

Kyiv residents demonstrated:

Shelter discipline
Alert fatigue management
Community coordination
Psychological resilience

Cost Analysis

Economic factors showed:

$20,000 per Shahed drone
$1.5 million attack cost
Higher interception expenses
Attrition strategy evidence

Iranian Technology

Shahed variants featured:

GPS/GLONASS navigation
Engine improvements
Warhead modifications
Stealth enhancements

Defense Innovation

Ukraine countered with:

Acoustic detection networks
Machine gun positions
Drone vs drone tactics
AI-assisted tracking

Strategic Purpose

Mass attacks aimed to:

Overwhelm defenses
Deplete interceptors
Terrorize population
Test system limits

International Support

Allies provided:

Additional air defense
Counter-drone systems
Detection equipment
Ammunition supplies

Success Factors

High interception rate due to:

Experience accumulation
Tactical adaptation
Technology integration
Training effectiveness

The record drone assault demonstrated both the evolution of aerial attacks and the effectiveness of adapted air defense tactics in protecting urban areas.