7,400 missiles, 3,700 drones fired by Russia proclaims Ukraine
Ukraine reported on Thursday that Russia, in its 22-month-long invasion, has initiated approximately 7,400 missiles and 3,700 Shahed attack drones targeting Ukrainian locations, underscoring the extensive scope of Moscow’s aerial assaults. According to Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian air force, their defenses successfully intercepted 1,600 missiles and 2,900 drones. He emphasized the formidable challenge posed by the aggressor and highlighted Ukraine’s resilient efforts in defense.
Ihnat attributed the relatively lower success rate in intercepting missiles to the deployment of supersonic ballistic missiles, which are inherently more difficult to counter. Additionally, he pointed out that advanced Patriot air defense systems were supplied to Ukraine by Western allies only later in the conflict, contributing to the improved interception capabilities.
Throughout the invasion, Ukraine received advanced air defense systems, including Patriot missiles, from Western allies, enabling them to thwart more missile attacks. Meanwhile, Russian aerial assaults increasingly featured Shahed drones, recognized in Ukraine for their loud petrol engines, targeting infrastructure well beyond the front lines in the east and south of the country.
Allegations of hitting non-military locations
Ihnat disclosed that numerous regions were actively engaged in countering Shahed drones on a nightly basis. Russia maintains that it targets military installations, despite acknowledging its impact on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Despite documented civilian casualties, Moscow denies intentionally targeting non-combatants.
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The deployment of Shahed drones began in September 2022, initially perplexing Ukrainian air defenses due to their challenging detection by standard radar systems compared to missiles. In response, Ukraine adapted its strategies, deploying vehicles with mounted machine guns for cost-effective drone interception. Ihnat recounted the initial challenges faced when attempting to down the drones, highlighting the need for preparation and evolving tactics.
Western media outlets and analysts have presented evidence, including satellite imagery, indicating Russia’s establishment of its Shahed production facilities.