Russia fired record number of drones at Ukraine in April: AFP analysis

According to AFP analysis of data released by Kyiv’s air force, Russia launched a record number of long-range attack drones at Ukraine in April.

Moscow greatly increased the amount of long-range drones fired in the middle of the day during the wave of attacks, which coincided with the suspension of US-mediated talks to resolve the conflict. Kyiv denounced this strategy as an attempt to cause more harm to civilians.

According to a compilation of daily information released by Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 6,583 long-range drones during the month.

That was two percent more than the number fired in March, which was also a record at the time.

According to the data, Ukraine managed to shoot down 88 percent of all incoming drones and missiles.

After four years of nightly Russian barrages of Iranian-style attack craft, Kyiv has claimed to have the greatest drone defenses in the world.

Iranian drones launched as part of the Middle East conflict have been shot down by Ukrainian drone interceptors in the Gulf.

In the past, Russia used long-range drones to attack Ukraine almost exclusively during the night. However, in recent weeks, daytime attacks have increased in frequency in what observers have described as a technique intended to cause more damage.

“Russia’s new tactic of coupling a large nighttime strike with an equally large daytime strike will likely cause increased civilian harm,” the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in April.

“Russia may aim for the daytime strike series to more heavily target civilians and civilian infrastructure including public and open-space areas, especially as warmer weather arrives and more Ukrainians are likely outside,” the US-based think tank added.

Pavlo Palisa, the deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office said the daytime attacks were a new attempt to “terrorise civilians” now that winter is over.

Russia had barraged Ukraine’s power and heating grid over the winter, leaving millions without hot water or communal heating in -20C temperatures.

“There is also an economic component here. Massive attacks in the middle of the working day significantly paralyse business,” Palisa said in an interview to Ukrainian media in early April.

Moscow denies targeting civilians and says its attacks target military and military-connected energy sites.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed since Russia invaded in February 2022, including hundreds in drone and missile strikes on apartment buildings across the country.