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The Ukrainian Air Force reported on another big drone attack overnight. Out of 80 launched Shahed drones, 71 were shot down. 6 more were lost in territory, likely downed as a result of EW measures.

https://x.com/NOELreports/status/1837756159739953465

77 out of 80 did not reach their target.

I wonder how many were shot down by F-16s.

Forbes reports:

“The recent attacks also signal an increase in the scale of Ukrainian deep strikes. Previous raids, some hitting targets as far as 1,100 miles inside Russia, have been logistically impressive but small in size—often involving just a handful of slow, propeller-driven drones.

By contrast, the recent raids have been much more destructive, seemingly pointing to a drone type that might not fly as far, but packs more destructive power—and is available in large numbers.

That might mean Ukraine’s new jet-powered Palianytsia, which is a cruise missile in all but name. Russians on the ground in Toropets reported hearing jet engines overhead before the local munitions stockpile exploded.

The winged, turbojet-propelled Palianytsia has been in development for more than a year but only recently made its combat debut. On Aug. 24, at least one Palianytsia struck a target in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky announced.

The Palianytsia boasts a AI-PBS-350 turbojet engine, jointly developed by PBS in the Czech Republic and Ukrainian firm Ivchenko-Progress. The 220-pound AI-PBS-350 produces 3,400 newtons of thrust—enough to propel a one-ton missile several hundred miles.

That makes the Palianytsia roughly similar to Ukraine’s turbofan-powered Neptune cruise missile, at least in terms of size, speed and range.

Where the Neptune and the Palianytsia substantially differ is in their engines. The Neptune boasts an efficient but expensive turbofan. The Palianytsia’s simpler turbojet is probably less efficient, but also cheaper—meaning Ukraine could afford to build more Palianytsias than Neptunes. Potentially a lot more.

Firing more missiles results in more destruction. Where Neptune attacks have usually involved just a handful of missiles, the first Toropets may have involved a hundred missiles.”