Ballistic missiles first, cruise missiles later: Ukraine details Russia's overnight attack
Photo: Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat (mil.in.ua)
Russia attacked Ukraine in several waves: ballistic missiles were launched around 3 a.m., followed by cruise missiles toward morning. Russian forces targeted critical infrastructure and other sites, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat stated.
Which missiles did Russia use?
"The attack took place in several waves: around 3 a.m., the enemy used ballistic missiles, and closer to morning, cruise missiles were launched," Ihnat said.
According to him, the weapons included Kh-101 missiles launched by strategic bombers, Iskander-K missiles, as well as Zircon, Iskander-M, or KN-23 ballistic missiles. Russian forces also used Kh-59 and Kh-69 guided air-to-surface missiles.
Ihnat added that the military had warned the day before that Russia was preparing a massive attack. This was indicated by activity involving strategic aircraft at their home air bases.
"Tonight, the enemy directed a large number of weapons specifically at critical infrastructure and energy facilities," the spokesperson emphasized.
The attack involving jet-powered drones is still underway. They are approaching from the north and south, including through the Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Chernihiv regions, and are mostly heading west.
Why has Russia's attack strategy barely changed?
"Unfortunately, for us, this has already become, so to speak, a routine massive attack, so the enemy's overall tactics have not changed," Ihnat said.
Russian forces take into account the capabilities and resources that Ukraine's Defense Forces and Air Force can deploy. They also consider shortages of ammunition, surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, as well as weather conditions. Based on these factors, they choose their directions and routes.
Cruise missiles launched from aircraft, including from the area of Russia's Vologda region, enter Ukraine through its eastern regions. They then move toward the facilities Russia intends to attack.
As a reminder, overnight on November 3, Russia launched missiles and 289 attack drones at Ukraine.
Ukraine's air defenses shot down or suppressed 309 targets, but missiles and drones struck 23 locations.
RBC-Ukraine also reported that Russia's Defense Ministry cynically boasted about strikes on energy facilities.
Russia claimed to have attacked thermal power plants in the Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv regions, as well as ports in the Odesa region.
