Turning point in the air war?
Report: Ukraine uses more long-range drones than Russia
02.08.2024, 23:51
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Moscow uses its long-range drones to attack mainly Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, while Kiev in turn targets Russian airfields and oil refineries. According to a report, Ukraine deployed more long-range drones than the aggressor for the first time last month.
According to a media report, Ukraine has deployed more long-range drones in a month than Russia for the first time since the war began. How “Forbes” reports, Russia attacked targets in Ukraine with 426 drones in July, while Kyiv countered with 524 attack drones.
The US magazine bases its information on the X-channel Shahed Trackerwhich collects data on Russian drone attacks. According to the report, Moscow used around 380 long-range drones in January and February. In March, the number rose to 601, according to the analysis, and in June there were 336. For the Ukrainian attacks, Forbes relies on information from the Russian authorities, who reported fewer than 200 drones in May and June. The information cannot be independently verified.
For its long-range attacks, Moscow relies primarily on the Shahed drone developed in Iran, which is easy to manufacture and, at around 18,000 euros, is significantly cheaper than cruise missiles, the paper writes. In its attacks, Russia normally relies on waves of up to 30 Shaheds, with a range of over 1,600 kilometers.
Unlike Russia, Ukraine relies on a wide range of different attack drones. Military analyst HI Sutton has already identified 22 different modelsfrom converted light aircraft to purpose-built jet-powered attack drones. Russia’s attacks are particularly aimed at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, while Kyiv is particularly targeting oil refineries, military airports and electrical substations.
“Ukraine has not yet exceeded the total of 600 shaheds that Russia fired in March and December,” Forbes summarizes. “But July could mark a turning point in the strategic drone war and the beginning of increasing problems for Russia.”