The enemy is shifting focus to cheaper drone attacks, reducing the number of cruise missiles.
To continue the war of attrition, Russian forces are seeking more cost-effective methods, particularly by intensifying drone attacks instead of using cruise missiles against Ukraine. This was stated by aviation expert Anatoly Khrapchinsky during a broadcast on the "Kyiv24."
Khrapchinsky noted that the number of cruise missiles launched at Ukraine has significantly decreased: in 2022 there were over 2,000 such attacks, in 2023 around 1,400, and this year approximately 1,300.
"The enemy is using drones like the 'Gerber' and cheaper winged drones with improvised 'payloads' to simulate larger targets, such as 'Shahed' drones. This creates additional pressure on Ukraine's air defense forces," the expert remarked.
Drones typically fly at very low altitudes to evade detection by electronic warfare (EW) systems or at higher altitudes, where mobile groups find it more challenging to intercept them. Recently, Russian drones have also been equipped with thermobaric munitions capable of causing significant destruction in densely populated areas or indoors.
Khrapchinsky emphasized that to counter such attacks, Ukraine should expand its target detection system, specifically by establishing a low-altitude radar field for quick response to threats. He added that Ukraine has already seen some success in shooting down enemy drones using anti-aircraft drones.