Russia will shell Ukraine until out of missiles and jets - UK intelligence
Shelling of Ukraine will continue until Putin runs out of missiles (Getty Images)
Russia will continue to unleash airstrikes on Ukraine as long as it has the means to do so. This is done to maintain pressure on the Ukrainian government and population, according to the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom.
According to the summary, On 21 March 2024, Russia conducted its first major Long Range Aviation (LRA) strike against Ukraine in over a month. The strike force included at least 10 Tu-95 BEAR-H aircraft operating from Olenegorsk and Engels airbases as well as MiG-31 FOXHOUND fighters. At least 20 missiles (including Russia's premier AS-23a KODIAK air launched cruise missile and the AS-24 KILLJOY air launched ballistic missile) were launched, targeting locations primarily in Kyiv.
44 days have passed since the previous aviation strike on Kyiv.
According to British intelligence, it is quite possible that the month-long pause in LRA strikes was due to aircraft fleet management and planning issues. Sanctions have likely restricted Russia's ability to access key components for both aircraft and missiles alike. Continued Ukrainian air defence successes have also likely complicated Russian mission planning.
"Russia will almost certainly continue strikes against critical locations as aircraft, crews, and weapon stocks allow, attempting to maintain pressure on the Ukrainian government and population via its stand-off strike capability," the British Ministry of Defense said.
Two attacks
On March 21, Russian forces launched a massive aerial strike, firing over 30 missiles at Kyiv, but all enemy targets were destroyed by Ukrainian air defense systems.
Additionally, on March 22, the Russian army launched a massive strike on the energy infrastructure of Ukraine, deploying over 150 drones and missiles. Air defense forces shot down 55 Shahed drones and 37 missiles.
According to the head of Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the attack on Ukraine's energy sector was the largest since the start of the full-scale war.
The strike is characterized by the use of combined means of attack, not only cruise missiles but also Shahed drones and ballistic missiles. As a result of the massive attack, energy facilities in various regions of Ukraine were damaged.
