Kyiv’s forces launched more than 500 drones into Russian territory since Putin’s self-imposed Easter truce ended at midnight on 20 April, analysis of open-source material by The i Paper suggests.
The most recent attack saw more than 100 drones fired at almost a dozen regions across Russia overnight into Tuesday. The Kremlin said its defences intercepted the vast majority.
Nine other regional Russian airports also temporarily stopped operating as drones struck areas along the border with Ukraine and deeper inside Russia, according to Russia’s civil aviation agency Rosaviatsia.
Russian service members march in columns during a rehearsal for a military parade in 2024 (Photo: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)The latest drone assault comes as Russia readies itself for Victory Day, a celebration marking the end of the Second World War.
President Vladimir Putin had made the celebration of victory over Nazism a central part of Russian identity, presenting a warped version of the war’s history to justify the invasion of Ukraine.
Some 20 foreign dignitaries, including China’s leader, Xi Jinping, and Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are expected to gather at the Russian capital on Friday.
Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow on the Russia and Eurasia programme at Chatham House, told The i Paper: “Ukraine can also be fairly confident that on past performance, just because Russia is declaring a ceasefire doesn’t mean that Russia is going to cease firing.”
“The political aspect of it, Victory Day and calls for a ceasefire, is only going to be one factor among lots,” Giles said.
Ukrainian drones have penetrated Russian defences and reached Moscow at least 19 times in the past two weeks, according to open-source material, though they appear not to have caused much damage.
Russian service members drive armoured vehicles, including Tigr-M all-terrain infantry mobility cars, after the rehearsal for the parade in 2024 (Photo: Reuters/Yulia Morozova)While Moscow said the vast majority were intercepted, Ukraine has enjoyed success with its drone offensive.
Giles said there was “no way of telling that from the information that we have” as to how effective drone strikes have been, as damage assessments from inside Russia are difficult to collect.
The focus on producing drones in Ukraine has also allowed Kyiv to take the war onto Russian soil with long-range strikes.
Kyiv does not usually comment on or confirm drone attacks.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Ukraine steps up drone strikes ahead of Russia’s Victory Day parade )
Also on site :