Between the November 18-19, 2023, russia launched around 50 Iranian-designed Shahed one way-attack uncrewed aerial vehicles, primarily towards Kyiv. These were launched in waves on two axes – from the Kursk to the east, and from Krasnodar to the south-east, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
One of russia’s objectives was likely to degrade Ukraine’s air defenses, to shape the battlespace ahead of any concerted winter campaign of strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: russian Soldiers’ Wives Protest in Moscow Demanding Rotation from Frontline
Russia has now refrained from launching its premier air launched cruise missiles from its heavy bomber fleet for nearly two months, likely allowing it to build up a substantial stock of these weapons. Russia is highly likely to use these missiles if it repeats last year’s effort to destroy Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure.
Read more: russia Plan to Reintroduce Soviet-Era M-55 MYSTIC B Reconnaissance Aircraft For Surveillance Over Ukraine
