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Defense Express’ Weekly Review: Strike on Kyiv with the Zircon Missile, What Does the Loss of the russian Ka-52 Near Avdiivka Indicate, Disassembly of the Jet-Driven Shahed-238

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3M22 Zircon missile test launch / Open source image
3M22 Zircon missile test launch / Open source image

Digest of Defense Express on the main events of the week

What Does the Loss of the russian Ka-52 Alligator near Avdiivka Indicate?

According to military-political analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko, most likely, this happened because russian forces are trying to expedite the capture of Avdiivka by all available means.

And now, helicopters are being sent into combat for maximum proximity.

Read more: Chronicle of russia's Bloodiest War Crimes in Ukraine in 2023
The russian Ka-52 Alligator, Defense Express
The russian Ka-52 Alligator / Photo credit: facebook.com/128brigade

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has replaced the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have a new Commander-in-Chief. Valerii Zaluzhnyi held this position from July 27, 2021, until his dismissal on February 8, 2022.

Defense Express
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awards Valerii Zaluzhnyi the highest state honor — Hero of Ukraine / video screengrab

The new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is Oleksandr Syrskii, who had been leading the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since August 5, 2019.

Zircon Missile Used For Strike on Kyiv: Apparently, the russian "Wunderwaffe" Was Shot Down

Multiple signs indicate that russian forces launched their "hypersonic" Zircon missile during the missile strike on Kyiv on February 7, 2024. And, most likely, this is not the first occurrence.

A piece of debris found at the missile crash site with inscriptions indicating it belongs to a 3M22 Zircon missile, Defense Express
A piece of debris found at the missile crash site with inscriptions indicating it belongs to a 3M22 Zircon missile / Photo credit: Monitor

In one of the photos, debris with the marking "3M22" is visible, corresponding to this type of missile belonging to the so-called "Putin's wunderwaffe," or simply russian most-advertised "hypersonic" weapons of long-range strike capability.

Although this is not confirmed by data collected by russians during combat firing tests.

Jet-Driven Shahed-238 Disassembled: Engine From Czechia, Satellite Navigation Tools From Canada (Photo)

Ukrainian Defense Forces managed to take down a Shahed-238 loitering munition of iranian production, which russia used in one of the recent attacks on Ukraine this January.

Defense Express has obtained a report on the disassembly of this drone, the findings indicate that despite the sanctions, iran still has access to a whole range of Western-made components. Among the countries: the USA, Canada, Czech Republic.

However, it is entirely possible to track and interrupt the supply chain.

Long-Range Ukrainian Strike Drones, Which are Hitting Targets Deep Inside russia

Ukraine is increasingly employing kamikaze drones, utilizing them for extended-range attacks on strategic targets deep inside russia as well.

Defense Express
Illustration: OSINT analyst H I Sutton

This serves several purposes. The targets themselves, such as oil storage sites and airfields, are of strategic importance. Additionally, it stretches russian air defenses, forcing some to be deployed far away from the front lines.

Read more: Chronicle of the russian federation Crimes in Ukraine (January 2024)