No Russian drone hits target as Ukraine neutralizes 131 UAVs
Ukraine's Air Force says air defenses have intercepted 72 attack drones and neutralizing 59 decoy drones.

Ukraine’s Air Force says the country’s air defenses have successfully intercepted 72 Russian drones during a nighttime attack that targeted multiple regions early on 21 January. The assault included Shahed drones, decoy UAVs, and four Iskander-M ballistic missiles launched from Millerovo, Oryol, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as Voronezh Oblast.
The Air Force confirmed that 72 attack drones were intercepted across Poltava, Cherkasy, Kyiv, and 12 other regions. Additionally, 59 decoy drones were reported as “lost from radar” without causing damage.
Despite the large-scale assault, no Russian drones reached their intended targets, the Air Force’s data suggest. However, the military did not mention what was the target of the Iskander missiles and whether the attack was successful.
Ukraine’s Air Force says it relied on aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, mobile fire teams, and electronic warfare systems to counter the attack. While damage occurred in some areas, officials confirmed no casualties.
Drone debris damage but no casualties
Poltava Oblast
According to the Poltava Oblast Administration, several drones fell in the Kremenchuk community, causing a fire in a private home. Damage was reported to six residential buildings, three outbuildings, three garages, eight cars, and a power line. Approximately 87 residents were left without power, but repair crews were restoring electricity.
Cherkasy Oblast
The Cherkasy Oblast Administration reported damage in Zvenyhorodka District, where falling debris shattered windows in four houses, a school, a shop, and a non-residential building. A power line was also affected, and emergency teams are conducting repairs. No casualties were reported.
Related:
- Russian drone attack injures boy, 12, in Kyiv Oblast, damages Izmail river port, hits Romania
- All but one of 80 Russian drones intercepted in night attack that caused one civilian injury
- Ukraine neutralizes all 93 Russian drones in nighttime attack, Air Force says
- Russian attack on elderly care facility in Russia’s Kursk Oblast leaves one dead, military says
- Russians kilometers away from Kharkiv’s Kupiansk, Donetsk’s Pokrovsk, authorities say
- Injury toll rises to 113 after Russian bombing downtown Zaporizhzhia kills 13
- Russian attacks on Ukraine’s northern Sumy Oblast increase fourfold in comparison to last year
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.