Russia could be changing its approach to drone attacks on Ukraine by prioritizing the intensity of strikes instead of how often they happen, a report by The War Zone (TWZ) said.
The development comes after Ukrainian officials recorded an increase in the use of one-way attack drones in different waves of strikes on Kyiv, instead of the usual mass deployments of missiles that Russia has launched in the war.
This approach indicates Moscow is focusing on exhausting Ukraine’s air defenses and wearing down its general population rather than inflicting maximum damage.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported its capital experienced 13 air raid alerts as Russia launched drones in small groups last August 27, making it the largest number of alerts in Kyiv since the start of the war.
Russia then reportedly conducted eight more strikes by the morning of August 28, hitting Kyiv and neighboring regions overnight.
A former high-ranking Ukrainian military officer said that while the strategy shift could overwhelm the civilian population, it could potentially fail its tactical goals and instead backfire on Russian forces.
“My belief is that they won’t achieve such strategic objectives. It is too late. It could have the opposite effect: more hate, more aggression and anger toward Russians,” the unnamed officer told TWZ.
Updates on the Russo-Ukrainian War
Reports say recent, intense attacks have been conducted in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, with the Institute for the Study of War saying that offensive and counterattack operations from both countries are concentrated in Kupyansk and Solvyansk.
Russian forces reportedly failed to advance their position thanks to persistent defensive engagements from Ukrainian forces.
However, Moscow recently struck a residential neighborhood using drones, resulting in the death of 37 civilians and injuring another 15.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not disclose details, Russia says it destroyed a warehouse containing cruise missiles and drones from Kyiv-based Fire Point.
