Russia using drone swarms to overwhelm air defenses ahead of cruise and ballistic missile attacks – intelligence
Russian forces launched a combined air attack against Ukraine on Wednesday that could be sustained over an extended period, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence warned.
According to DIU, the first wave of the attack involves a large number of attack drones aimed at overwhelming Ukraine's air defense systems and striking civilian targets. Russia subsequently plans to deploy a significant number of air- and sea-launched cruise missiles as well as ballistic missiles.
"Moscow's targets are critical infrastructure and life-support facilities of major cities, including energy systems, defense industry facilities, and government buildings," the intelligence added.
The warning follows an overnight barrage in which Russia launched 139 attack drones at Ukraine on Wednesday, with 111 intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, according to the Air Force. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces struck residential and railway infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv oblasts, port infrastructure in Odesa Oblast, and energy facilities in Poltava Oblast overnight.
Ukraine's Air Force separately reported the redeployment of Russian tactical aviation, which analysts said may indicate preparations for a large-scale strike.
As of this morning, Zelenskyy said more than 100 Russian drones remained airborne over Ukraine, warning that additional waves of drone attacks were possible throughout the day.