In May, the russian army launched a record number of missile attacks on Kyiv. Find out more about how Ukraine survived the shelling and how many missiles were shot down

If you appreciate the Visit Ukraine project and our help, you can support the team's work

DONATE

The last month of spring 2023 was a real test for Ukraine. In May, the russian army returned to the tactic of massive shelling of the country and launched a record-breaking attack on the Ukrainian capital. We will tell you how Ukrainians survived May in this article.

Last month, the russians probably fired all the missiles, shells, and drones in the occupying army's inventory in Ukraine. Almost every day, Ukrainians heard the sounds of alarms and explosions.

However, Ukrainian air defense forces were quite successful in repelling russian attacks.

How russia attacked Ukraine in May

Over the last month of summer, the occupiers launched various types of missiles and kamikaze drones at Ukrainian cities. It is worth noting that the russian army has also intensified attacks on Kyiv with ballistic missiles such as Kinzhal and Iskander. The russians carried out the main attacks at night.

May 1

Russia's strategic aviation fired 18 X-101/X-555 cruise missiles at Ukraine from the Murmansk region and the Caspian Sea. However, 15 of them were destroyed by air defense forces.

May 4

Ukraine is attacked by Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones from the Bryansk region and the Sea of Azov. Then 18 out of 24 UAVs were shot down. 

The night of May 4 is also remembered for another event: Ukraine shot down an X-47 Kinzhal air defense missile for the first time, which the russians claimed was "impossible" to intercept.

May 8

Another attack with drones from the Bryansk region and Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea. Air defense forces shoot down all 35 drones and 8 missiles launched.

May 9

At night, the occupiers launched 17 X-101/X-555 cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea at Ukraine, but 15 of them were destroyed.

May 13

Again, kamikaze drones attacked Ukraine from the north and south. A total of 21 drones were launched at Ukrainian cities, but 17 of them "did not reach".

May 14

At night, the russians launched a combined attack with Shahed, Kalibr and X-101/X-555/X55 missiles. 25 UAVs and 3 cruise missiles were destroyed.

May 16

This night was one of the most turbulent of the war. The enemy army fired 18 missiles at Ukraine, 6 “Shahed” attack drones, 3 reconnaissance drones, 6 X-47M2 Kinzhal aerial ballistic missiles, 9 Kalibr cruise missiles from ships near the Black Sea, and 3 land-based missiles (S-400, Iskander-M).

All targets were destroyed by Ukrainian air defense forces.

May 17-18

Another massive attack in several waves. 30 air-, land-, and sea-launched missiles were fired at Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense destroyed 6 Kalibr cruise missiles, 21 X-101/X-555 missiles, 2 Iskander-K cruise missiles, as well as 2 “Shahed” and 2 reconnaissance drones.

May 19

The invaders launched 22 Iranian UAVs and 6 Kalibr from the north and southeast. Air defense forces managed to destroy 16 drones and 3 missiles.

May 20

Kyiv comes under attack by Iranian kamikaze drones. All 18 targets were shot down. Several more similar drones were destroyed in the east.

May 22

The occupiers launch a massive attack on Dnipro. They launched 4 X-101/X-555 missiles, 5 X-22 missiles, 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 5 S-300 anti-aircraft missiles and 20 Shahed-136/131 drones at the city. The air defense system shot down 4 missiles and all 20 drones.

May 25

The enemy army again attacked Ukraine with drones. That night, 36 barrage munitions were launched. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the enemy targeted critical infrastructure in the western regions. All 36 drones were shot down.

May 26

Ukraine suffered another attack by 17 missiles and 31 drones. Air defense destroyed 23 drones and 10 X-101/X-555 missiles.

May 28

A record-breaking kamikaze drone attack on Kyiv. Air defense forces managed to shoot down 52 targets out of 54 drones.

May 29

One of the largest attacks on Ukraine. The enemy attacked cities at night, using cruise/ballistic missiles and drones. That night, 37 X-101/X-555 missiles and 29 attack UAVs flew toward Ukraine, and the enemy tried to hit Kyiv with 11 Iskander-K and Iskander-M missiles.

All targets were destroyed by air defense.

May 30

Another disturbing night in Ukraine. The occupiers launched 31 attack drones, but the air defense shot down 29 UAVs.

Visit Ukraine on social media: Telegram | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

Consequences of the shelling of Ukraine in May

May 2023 has become one of the most disturbing months since the beginning of the war. In total, Ukraine experienced 16 air attacks this month. Most of the missiles and drones were flying towards Kyiv. However, there were no arrivals in the Ukrainian capital in May.

Despite this, several people were killed in Kyiv in May as a result of the fall of fragments of downed aircraft, and there was also damage to civilian infrastructure.

In addition, the occupiers continued their attacks on such regions as Kherson, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, Ternopil, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Numerous destructions and civilian casualties were also recorded in these regions.

We remind you! Ukrainian towns and villages have been under constant russian missile attacks for almost a year and a half. Here you can find out where the alarms are most often raised and which settlements are most often affected by attacks.

Photo: SES

You may be interested in:

Visit Ukraine Donation - make a good deed and an important contribution to the Victory of Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours - the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Merch - choose patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery;

Visit Ukraine News - get the latest news and updates in our Telegram channel;

Cooperation - cooperation and advertising integrations with Visit Ukraine and Visit World projects.