More ballistic missiles, more daytime strikes: Ukrainian Air Force reveals Russia's new tactics
Yurii Ihnat (photo: Getty Images)
Russian forces have changed their strike tactics against Ukraine by significantly increasing the use of ballistic missiles compared with cruise missiles. They are also carrying out missile strikes more frequently during the daytime, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said.
According to Ihnat, Russia launched more than 50 ballistic missiles over the past week. These included Iskander-M, S-400, and Zircon missiles.
"The debris being found with markings showing they were manufactured three weeks, one month, or two months ago, meaning the missile had only just left the factory— indicates that they are not able to build up and scale production as they would like, and that they are indeed experiencing problems," Ihnat said.
He noted that Russia's difficulties are also being caused by the Defense Forces' long-range strikes. They target not only Russia's oil refining industry but also facilities with unique technologies that manufacture missile components.
Change in attack timing
In addition to changing the types of missiles used, Russian forces have also begun carrying out missile strikes more frequently during the daytime.
"The enemy wants to achieve surprise so that our Defense Forces have less time to prepare. As everyone becomes accustomed to ballistic missiles being launched at night, between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., with strikes in the early morning, the enemy is trying to achieve certain objectives precisely through surprise," Ihnat explained.
The Air Force spokesperson noted that Russia's overall tactics remain unchanged: Russian forces continue to attack Ukraine every day and every night using Shahed kamikaze drones.
During the night and morning of July 27, Russia attacked several regions of Ukraine.
The heaviest destruction was reported in the Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. The attacks left one person dead and dozens injured.
