Night of February 22: massive strike with ‘Zircons’ and ‘Iskanders’ on Ukraine — what is known about the consequences

On the night of February 22, 2026, Russian troops launched one of the largest combined strikes in recent months. According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, dozens of missiles of various types and almost three hundred strike drones were launched over the territory of Ukraine.

The attack targeted peaceful cities and suburbs, where people were at home at night. Explosions were recorded in a number of regions, and the work of air defense systems continued for several hours.

What missiles and drones were used in the attack

According to official information from the Ukrainian military, the following were launched over Ukraine during the night:

• 4 hypersonic Zircon missiles

• 22 Iskander-M / S-400 ballistic missiles

• 18 Kh-101 cruise missiles

• 2 Iskander-K cruise missiles

• 4 Kh-59/69 guided aviation missiles

• 297 strike drones of various types

The overall scale of the use of weapons indicates a pre-planned combined operation using both ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as UAVs.

Results of air defense work

Ukrainian air defense shot down or suppressed 307 aerial targets — 33 missiles and 274 drones.

At the same time, 14 missiles and 23 strike UAVs hit 14 locations. In addition, debris from downed drones fell in at least five places.

Such statistics confirm the high intensity of the strike and the simultaneous overload of air defense systems in different directions.

Where the explosions occurred: geography of the night attack

According to reports from the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and monitoring channels, the following regions and settlements were under attack:

• Mykolaiv and district

• Odesa district

• Cherkasy district

• Kyiv

• Kropyvnytskyi

• Brovary

• Vasylkiv / Boyarka (Kyiv region)

• Kyiv region

• Dnipro

• Poltava

• Voronezh (Sumy region)

• Cherkasy and district

• Kyiv outskirts

In a number of cities, series of explosions were recorded. Some areas temporarily remained without electricity due to infrastructure damage.

For the Israeli audience, this information is important not only as a news background. A significant number of Jewish communities, as well as relatives of Israeli citizens, live in Ukraine. Such night attacks directly affect the safety of the civilian population, including families with dual citizenship.

In this context, NANews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency continues to monitor the development of the situation and analyze the consequences for Ukrainian regions and the diaspora.

Scale and strategy: what the use of “Zircons” means

Combined pressure tactics

The use of hypersonic Zircon missiles alongside ballistic Iskanders and Kh-101 cruise missiles indicates an attempt to create a multi-layered attack. The goal of such strikes is to overload air defense systems, simultaneously pressure different regions, and create an effect of uncertainty.

Experts note that the combination of ballistics and drones complicates interception, as different types of targets require different response algorithms.

Strikes on peaceful cities

According to preliminary data, the attack was again directed at targets in residential areas and infrastructure. Night hours are traditionally used to increase psychological effect and reduce the operational response of civilian services.

The fact of hits in 14 locations confirms that some missiles and UAVs reached their targets despite active air defense work.

Context: regional security and international reaction

Such massive strikes occur against the backdrop of the ongoing war and Moscow’s attempts to exert military pressure on Ukrainian cities. The use of different types of missiles, including ballistic and hypersonic, increases risks for the civilian population.

For countries in the region, including Israel, this is also a matter of strategic analysis: the use of modern missile systems in a real conflict demonstrates the tactical capabilities and vulnerabilities of air defense systems.

The night of February 22 was another confirmation that the intensity of hostilities remains high. Ukraine continues to repel attacks, but strikes on peaceful areas maintain a threat to residents of large cities and suburbs.

The situation remains dynamic. Information about the consequences is being clarified as official data becomes available.