Ukraine downs 269 drones overnight as strikes hit 15 locations
Ukrainian Air Defense Forces Neutralized 269 Russian Drones on the Night of May 16, 2026 (Photo: REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova)
Russian forces launched 294 attack drones against Ukraine overnight on May 16, including Shahed UAVs — among them jet-powered variants — as well as Gerbera, Italmas and Parodiya decoy drones, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.
Ukraine’s air defenses destroyed 269 Russian drones across the country’s north, south, center and east, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
The military said impacts from 20 attack drones were recorded at 15 locations, while debris from intercepted targets fell at nine separate sites.
The Air Force also warned that as of 9 a.m., the Russian aerial assault was still ongoing, with several drones remaining in Ukrainian airspace.
Russia attacked Kharkiv overnight and into the morning of May 16, damaging metro infrastructure and public transport stops and injuring civilians.
Authorities in Poltava Oblast also reported damage to private homes following drone strikes.
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