Why Russia strikes Ukraine at night? 2 key reasons explained
Illustrative photo: Russia is constantly adapting its actions to Ukrainian air defense (Getty Images)
Russia carries out massive drone attacks on Ukraine's rear regions almost every night, sometimes combining them with missiles. Darkness has become a key tool for the enemy, but it is not only the exhaustion of the civilian population that is behind this tactic.
Military expert Ivan Stupak explains why Russia attacks at night.
Why does the enemy launch massive attacks at night?
According to the expert, there are two reasons behind the massive night attacks, which essentially work together. It is about the Russians' attempts to complicate the job for Ukrainian air defense and exert psychological pressure on the civilian population.
"Because, at first, when the enemy launched drones during the day, they were easier to spot and easier to shoot down. And then the Russians switched to night," says Stupak.
He explains that it is much more effective for the Russians to launch drones at night, because there are fewer opportunities to shoot them down and a higher hit rate.
"Plus, it's exhausting for our people who sleep at night. This is also a psychological effect. That's why I think that Russian troops are working in a complex way here: to increase the number of hits and exhaust Ukrainians," he said.
However, Ukrainian air defense has adapted to night attacks. But this is a non-ending scenario. On one side, the Russians dictate the terms, and the Ukrainians adapt.
"Then we adapted, and they reconfigure again so that we cannot adapt. For example, at first, our military air defense systems could handle these drones very well. But the Russians upped the ante, and now the drones are flying higher and faster," Stupak points out.
The expert explains that mobile fire groups simply cannot keep up with the drones. The effectiveness of shooting down is beginning to decrease. So now, Ukrainian defenders are also using interceptor drones.
"But they are not yet widely available, and there were cases when they were simply not enough to repel an attack. There is still a small number of such interceptors," Stupak clarifies.
Why does Russia target rear cities?
During attacks on the Ukrainian rear, the enemy aims not only to harm civilians but also to target important facilities, such as military plants or airfields.
"Where are our missiles and drones made? They (Russians - ed.) are trying to hit our facilities, as well as our airplanes. Of course, there is a part of terror here. But it is not dominant. All these drones have a target. For example, to hit a factory that makes explosives. Or a factory that produces ammunition for small arms," says Stupak.
"Just like today with Starokostiantyniv, where the enemy was trying to hit the airfield. The Russians are also pragmatic. Just as the Ukrainian Defense Forces are trying to hit important Russian targets, so is the enemy," the expert adds.
Russian troops attacked Ukraine with 331 air strikes overnight. Among them are 324 drones, 4 cruise missiles, and 3 aerial ballistic Kinzhal missiles. In total, air defense neutralized 311 targets.
2 missiles and 15 attack drones still hit three locations. The main target of tonight's night attack was Starokostiantyniv, Khmelnytskyi region, where the operational airfield is located.
A high-rise building in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv was also damaged in the attack. There are victims, including a child.
In Kropyvnytskyi, a building and equipment of the State Emergency Service came under attack, and a fire broke out in the city.
Read more about the consequences of today's attack in a separate report.
