A Ukrainian soldier successfully intercepted a Russian cruise missile using a man-portable Igla surface-to-air missile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on December 13 via Telegram. The dramatic interception was reportedly undertaken by the mobile air defense groups of the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade.
Impressive interception of a Russian cruise missile by the mobile air defense groups of the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade. 13.12.2024 pic.twitter.com/txXhzbnoI9
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) December 13, 2024
Work of mobile air defense groups of the 114th tactical aviation brigade during a Russian missile attackhttps://t.co/5hQKaieCK3 pic.twitter.com/EOrDQ02Dyt
— Dominik (@99Dominik_) December 13, 2024
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that the missile did not cause damage to critical infrastructure, as its remains were located and secured by a search team.
The interception came amid one of the largest aerial assaults launched by Russia on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure to date. Overnight and into the morning, Russia targeted multiple Ukrainian regions with a combination of drones and missiles, including ballistic Kalibr and Kh-101/Kh-55SM cruise missiles.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched a total of 94 missiles and 193 drones during the attack. Ukrainian air defense forces successfully shot down 81 missiles and 80 drones.
Strikes caused widespread power outages across Ukraine, particularly in the western regions of Odesa, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. In Ternopil Oblast, officials reported that nearly 50% of consumers were left without electricity following the strikes.
The attacks primarily targeted Ukraine’s critical energy and transport infrastructure, further straining the country’s power grid. Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, confirmed that thermal power plants were among the key facilities hit during the barrage.
