On the night of February 17-18, Russian military forces executed a significant drone and missile attack on Ukraine, deploying a total of 126 drones along with an Iskander-M ballistic missile. Reports from Ukraine's Air Force stated that their air defense systems managed to destroy or jam around 100 of these UAVs, which included the Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas models. Notably, locations across Ukraine were targeted, with hits recorded by the missile and drones in at least 14 places.

The Iskander-M missile was launched from Crimea, an area that remains under temporary Russian occupation, highlighting the ongoing strategic use of this region for military operations against Ukraine. The drones were reportedly launched from multiple Russian cities, including Bryansk, Kursk, Oryol, and Shatalovo, demonstrating a wide operational reach for the Russian military in this ongoing conflict. The deployment of such a vast number of drones, particularly the Shahed type, points to a significant escalation in Russia's aerial assault tactics.

This attack reflects the persistent threat to Ukrainian airspace and the challenges posed to its defense mechanisms. The success of Ukrainian defenses in downing 100 drones is a testament to their evolving military capabilities amid the prolonged conflict. However, the occurrence of missile impacts and the continuing threats of aerial bombardments underscore the ongoing peril faced by Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, amplifying concerns over civilian safety as such attacks persist into the foreseeable future.