Russia Launches 68 Drones, Four Missiles at Ukraine

This photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service Saturday, April 20, 2024, shows unmanned aerial vehicles in the sky during Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's visit to the training ground of the Moscow Military District. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
This photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service Saturday, April 20, 2024, shows unmanned aerial vehicles in the sky during Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's visit to the training ground of the Moscow Military District. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
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Russia Launches 68 Drones, Four Missiles at Ukraine

This photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service Saturday, April 20, 2024, shows unmanned aerial vehicles in the sky during Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's visit to the training ground of the Moscow Military District. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
This photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service Saturday, April 20, 2024, shows unmanned aerial vehicles in the sky during Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's visit to the training ground of the Moscow Military District. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Russia launched 68 drones and four missiles targeting Ukrainian territory overnight, Ukraine's air force said on Sunday.
Two Iskander-M ballistic missiles struck Poltava and Odesa regions and two Kh-59 guided air missiles targeted the Chernihiv and Sumy regions, the air forces said on the Telegram messaging app.
Ukraine's air defense units destroyed 31 of the drones, while 36 were unaccounted for, most likely intercepted by Ukraine's electronic warfare, the air force said. The remaining drone was still in the air, it said.



US Will Send an Air Defense Battery and American Troops to Israel to Bolster Defenses against Iran

 Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Lebanon's southern area of Mahmoudiyeh near the Litani River on October 12, 2024. (AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Lebanon's southern area of Mahmoudiyeh near the Litani River on October 12, 2024. (AFP)
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US Will Send an Air Defense Battery and American Troops to Israel to Bolster Defenses against Iran

 Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Lebanon's southern area of Mahmoudiyeh near the Litani River on October 12, 2024. (AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Lebanon's southern area of Mahmoudiyeh near the Litani River on October 12, 2024. (AFP)

The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery and troops to Israel, the Pentagon said Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden.

Ryder said the air defense system will help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran’s missile attacks on Israel in April and October.

The US has a wide range of missile defense systems arrayed across the Middle East and Europe, including Patriot systems.  

Officials have been discussing for months what types of air defense systems to deploy to the region and where to put them. Any move of a THAAD to Israel would involve the deployment of soldiers to operate the complex system.  

A year ago, Austin ordered the deployment of a THAAD battery and additional Patriot battalions to locations around the Middle East to increase protection of US forces and to aid in the defense of Israel.  

According to an April report by the Congressional Research Service, the Army has seven THAAD batteries. Generally, each consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment and it requires 95 soldiers to operate.  

The THAAD is considered a complimentary system to the Patriot, but it can defend a wider area. It can hit targets at ranges of 150-200 kilometers (93-124 miles).