Russian Cruise Missile Was Racing Toward Kyiv—A Ukrainian Machine Gunner Brought It Down

A Ukrainian mobile fire team shot down a Russian cruise missile with machine-gun fire as it headed toward Kyiv during Russia’s massive overnight attack, Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service reported on August 20.

The border guards opened fire on the incoming missile with small arms, striking it in flight.

After being hit, the cruise missile lost control and crashed outside populated areas, according to the service.

The interception came during a large-scale Russian missile-and-drone barrage targeting Kyiv and the surrounding region.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 214 aerial targets during the overnight attack, of which Ukrainian air defenses destroyed or suppressed 186.

The barrage included 36 Kh-101, Iskander-K, and Kh-59 cruise and air-launched missiles, with 31 intercepted.

Ukrainian air defenses also shot down all eight Kalibr cruise missiles launched during the attack.

Both Banderol loitering munitions used by Russia were also intercepted.

Russia additionally launched 168 Shahed, Gerbera, and other types of drones, 145 of which were shot down or electronically suppressed, according to the Air Force.

Earlier, reports emerged that Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted more than 5,300 Russian aerial targets during intensified attacks in July, including more than 5,100 strike drones and 216 missiles.

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