In a significant escalation of military action on the night of February 11-12, Russian forces launched a total of 24 Iskander-M and S-300 ballistic missiles, alongside 219 drones, targeting various Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. Ukrainian air defenses, however, demonstrated resilience and effectiveness by intercepting 15 ballistic missiles, an air-to-surface missile, and 197 drones. This marks a critical point in Ukraine's defense against ongoing Russian aggression.

The attack's orchestration involved missile launches from multiple locations across Russia, including Bryansk, Voronezh, and Rostov regions, as well as the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. Reports indicated that in addition to the Iskander missiles, the attacks were supplemented by a diverse array of drones, with approximately 150 being identified as Shahed loitering munitions, which have been used previously in similar offensives. The airspace over occupied Donetsk was also noted as a launch site for some air-to-surface missiles.

Despite the scale of the attack, the Ukrainian air force's successful interception of a significant portion of the incoming threats illustrates not only the capability of Ukraine's air defense systems but also the persistent challenges posed by Russian military operations. As the conflict continues, such engagements will likely impact both operational strategies on the ground and international perceptions of Ukraine's defensive capabilities against sustained aggression.