The most massive attack on Kyiv – a military expert told when to expect the next Russian strike
Kyiv • UNN
Russia is capable of launching massive combined attacks on Ukraine every 10-14 days. The Kremlin uses strikes as a political tool to strengthen its positions ahead of negotiations.
Russia can carry out large-scale combined attacks on Ukraine approximately two to three times a month. At the same time, the Kremlin uses such strikes not only as a military but also as a political tool, trying to strengthen its positions ahead of possible negotiations. This opinion was expressed in an exclusive comment to UNN by military expert Oleg Zhdanov.
Massive strikes have not only a military but also a political purpose
After another massive strike on Kyiv, Russia has once again demonstrated its ability to use a significant number of missiles and drones simultaneously. At the same time, according to Oleg Zhdanov, the main goal of such attacks is not only to cause destruction.
They can carry out such strikes approximately two to three times a month, no more. They also have problems with missile production and the technical condition of the launchers in service. Therefore, approximately once every 10–14 days, they can conduct such massive attacks
According to him, the Kremlin is well aware that they cannot achieve a turning point at the front, so they are increasingly relying on terror against the civilian population.
Peskov has already stated that Russia will continue to intensify strikes on Ukraine. They understand that there are no major successes at the front. As far as I know, there is a struggle in the Kremlin between the so-called "party of war" and those who understand that the Russian economy cannot withstand such a burden for long. But to create favorable positions for themselves ahead of possible negotiations, they are carrying out such terrible strikes
He explained that the choice of the capital as the main target is also quite logical.
Why Kyiv? Because the capital shapes public opinion in any state. This is primarily psychological pressure
A new strike in the coming days is quite possible
After the latest attack, a number of monitoring resources reported the likelihood of another massive strike in the near future. According to the expert, such a scenario should not be ruled out.
Russian attack in Kyiv has already claimed 21 lives02.07.26, 16:43 • 1984 views
If they accumulate another hundred drones in a day or two, they could well form a new strike group of about 500 drones. As for missiles, they have an untouchable reserve, estimated at about a thousand missiles of various types. In addition, they produce several dozen of each type every month. So they have the capability for a repeat strike
According to him, during the last attack, Russia did not even use all available resources.
We know that they did not use all their strategic bombers. That is, they still have the potential for repeated attacks
Ukraine needs its own ballistic missiles to strike launchers
One of the key ways to reduce the effectiveness of Russian attacks could be to hit the launchers before the missiles are launched. However, for this, Zhdanov emphasizes, Ukraine needs its own modern ballistic weapons.
Hitting such mobile targets as launchers is quite possible. But this requires high-speed means of destruction – primarily ballistic missiles. Not cruise missiles and not drones, but precisely ballistic missiles that reach the target in a matter of minutes
According to the expert, with operational intelligence, this could significantly reduce the enemy's capabilities.
Our partners can track launchers using satellites. Then either aviation works, if it is in the air, or a ballistic missile is launched immediately. But where is our ballistic missile? We have been waiting for it for a very long time
The situation with air defense missiles has likely worsened
Assessing the work of Ukrainian air defense during the last attack, the expert drew attention to the fact that the number of intercepted ballistic missiles has decreased.
I think the situation has worsened. Firstly, there were more ballistic missiles, but fewer were shot down. Secondly, a significant portion of the drones were already jet-powered. And today we are not yet ready to effectively deal with such targets
Zhdanov gave an example from his own observations.
I personally saw three jet drones fly over our settlement. Machine guns were firing at them, cannons were firing, but not one was shot down. And only after a missile was launched from a short-range air defense system, one of them was destroyed with the first shot
Jet-powered "Shaheds" have become a new problem for Ukraine
According to Zhdanov, the appearance of jet drones has created a new challenge for the Ukrainian air defense system.
Mobile fire groups need to be urgently rearmed. They must receive man-portable air defense systems and other modern means that will allow them to fight not only ordinary "Shaheds" but also jet-powered drones
The expert explained that the available means are not always adequate to the speed of the new Russian drones.
Relatively speaking, if the speed of the interceptor is about 300 km/h, and a jet drone flies at a speed of up to 500 km/h, it simply will not catch up. Unfortunately, here Russia has outdone us by one step. They very quickly launched the production of jet-powered "Shaheds", found this niche, and are now actively using it
In his opinion, Ukraine must quickly adapt its air defense system to new threats.
We urgently need to increase the number of short- and medium-range air defense systems, as well as rearm mobile fire groups. Otherwise, jet drones will remain a serious problem for our air defense