Russian occupiers launched a massive Shahed drone attack across Ukraine on 13 May. Monitoring channels claim the scale of the assault may break previous records, with the total number of drones potentially exceeding 1,000.
One of the most notable features of the attack was that drones targeted the western Zakarpattia Oblast and its main city, Uzhhorod, the part of Ukraine farthest from Russia.
Military expert Oleksandr Musiienko, according to UNIAN, suggests that this may be linked to Russia's prior avoidance of strikes on the regions due to possible agreements between Russia and former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
At the same time, Ukrainian intelligence has warned that the drone assault could be followed by cruise missiles, sea-launched Kalibr missiles, and ballistic missile strikes. The number of casualties continues to rise.
Russia may be using Belarus more actively for drone operations
Musiienko says there are signs Russia has begun using Belarusian territory more actively to coordinate drone attacks during the current strikes on western Ukraine.
“It is obvious that Russia is using Belarusian military infrastructure for a reason and is likely deploying antennas and relay systems on Belarusian territory to directly guide drones,” the expert notes.
"Ceasefire” became pause for Russia to accumulate drones
According to the military analyst, during the so-called “three-day ceasefire” from 9–11 May, which Russia also violated, Moscow significantly reduced the use of Shahed drones and other UAVs in order to build up reserves.
“They are now using this accumulated stockpile... If the ceasefire had not happened and strikes had continued ... Russia likely would have responded with smaller numbers,” Musiienko says.
He adds that many drones currently attacking western Ukraine approached from the northwest near the Belarusian border.
“This indicates that Russia is clearly beginning to use Belarusian territory more actively in order to carry out attacks specifically against western regions of our country,” Musiienko emphasizes.
Russia physically and psychologically terrorizes civilians
According to the military expert, through attacks like these, Russia is trying to overwhelm and exhaust Ukraine’s air defense systems.
Another feature of the assault is that many attacks are taking place during daylight hours and in full public view.
“This also creates an effect of psychological terror — to intimidate people, spread panic, and attempt to demoralize society,” Musiienko believes.
He stressed that Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue to intercept, suppress, and repel attacks as effectively as possible to minimize their consequences.
