Ukraine's Air Force clarifies: Russia fired 11 missiles at Odesa Oblast, one intercepted

Ukraine's Air Force has provided further detail on the large-scale attack against Odesa Oblast overnight into 9 August, with spokesperson Yurii Ihnat telling Ukrainska Pravda that Russian forces launched 11 missiles of various types, most flying on ballistic trajectories. One missile was intercepted, while three others failed to reach their targets due to countermeasures. The exact locations where the missiles came down are still being established.

Drones also part of the assault

Alongside the missiles, Russian forces deployed up to 100 drones of various types, including jet-powered drones and Banderol loitering munitions. By 08:00, Ukrainian air defence had intercepted 72% of the drones and five of the six Banderol munitions used.

Earlier, the Air Force's morning report had said Russia struck Odesa Oblast with Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, Oniks anti-ship missiles and Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles, without specifying the number of missiles launched at the time.

Combined strikes hard to repel

Ihnat explained that repelling large-scale combined attacks is extremely difficult, as Russian forces use varying tactics and factor in weather conditions. He noted the particular challenge of countering simultaneous use of different missile types, including ballistic missiles, alongside drones such as jet-powered UAVs and Banderol-type loitering munitions.

Strikes from missiles and attack drones were recorded at nine locations across Odesa city and the wider oblast. The region came under a further Russian missile attack in the afternoon, which was still ongoing as of 13:00. According to Ihnat, this later strike involved air-launched missiles fired from the Black Sea.