Russian forces launched a large combined missile and drone attack overnight into February 26, 2026, prompting Ukrainian air defenses to shoot down 374 of 420 Shahed and other drones, all 24 Kh-101 cruise missiles, both 3M22 Zircon cruise missiles, both Kh-69 cruise missiles, and 4 of 11 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, according to MoD advisor Serhii Sternenko. This occurred ahead of the current reporting window from 8:46 AM to 10:45 AM UTC. Serhii Sternenko stated the interception rate of Russian cruise missiles rose significantly during recent air attacks, with more strike drones also shot down, describing this as the start of systemic changes to improve effective use of available resources. The update follows earlier successful interceptions of all cruise and anti-ship missiles reported in the prior 3-hour window ending at 8:46 AM UTC. Separate reports during the current nearly 2-hour window noted UAV alerts along the Navlya-Karachev-Oryol route extending toward Tula region, with radar activity across Russia, as posted by @radarrussiia. US Secretary of State Rubio affirmed continued US weapons sales to Ukraine without sales or sanctions against Ukraine, in response to a reporter's question on pressuring Moscow.
