Ballistic missiles and jet-powered Shahed drones: How Russia is shifting its strike tactics
Photo: Russian missiles (Russian media)
Russia has changed its air attack tactics on Kyiv, making ballistic missiles its main focus due to a shortage of PAC-3 munitions for Patriot systems, according to an RBC-Ukraine report.
According to the outlet's sources, the enemy is increasingly abandoning complex combined strikes with long route planning, instead adopting the tactics of Iran, which actively used ballistic missiles and drones in the Middle East.
"The Russians saw, using Iran's example, how it terrorized the Middle East mostly with ballistic missiles and drones. And they took that as a lesson. Why would they plan a complex combined strike with different routes and different times of arrival for targets? Now they simply launch 10-20-30 ballistic missiles at the capital, understanding that some portion of them will get through given our shortage," one officer says in conversation with the outlet.
This trend will likely continue in the fall, with Russia combining ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and large-scale Shahed drone attacks.
How many ballistic missiles Russia produces
For regular attacks on the capital and Kyiv region, Russia uses several types of weapons. According to sources, Russia produces around 66 9M723 ballistic missiles for the Iskander-M system and approximately 10 Zircon hypersonic missiles monthly.
In addition, the enemy periodically uses S-400 system missiles as well as North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles.
According to rough estimates, in July the enemy launched more ballistic missiles than it is capable of producing in that period. So, without ramping up production, Moscow is unlikely to consistently sustain the same number of missiles in a salvo during ballistic missile strikes.
At the same time, the Kremlin has stepped up production of jet-powered drones. According to the report, this is a direct response to Ukraine's rapid development of interceptor drones designed to destroy conventional Shahed drones.
Earlier today, Russia launched 181 attack drones against Ukraine overnight, including jet-powered variants, Gerbera, Italmas, and Parodiya decoy drones.
Ukraine's air defenses said they shot down or suppressed 163 Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and other types of drones over northern, southern, and eastern parts of the country.
