“This is how terrorists operate”: Russia routes drones over apartment buildings so debris kills civilians if shot down, expert reveals

Russian forces deliberately route missiles and kamikaze drones over residential buildings in Ukraine. The goal of the tactics is to cause civilian casualties if they are shot down, says Anatolii Khrapchynskyi, deputy chief of an electronic warfare manufacturing company.

“The Russians build routes through residential neighborhoods, fully aware that if a drone is shot down, it will have consequences for the civilian population. This is how terrorists operate,” Khrapchynskyi emphasizes.

Mass strikes on energy infrastructure and new missile guidance approaches

Khrapchynskyi notes that analysis of the latest massive strike confirms deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s energy and critical infrastructure.

He explains that Russian cruise missiles are increasingly being used during daylight hours, as their guidance cameras operate far more accurately under sufficient lighting conditions.

By contrast, night and twilight reduce targeting accuracy, forcing the enemy to adjust its tactics.

What has changed in Russia's weapons over the past year?

Khrapchynskyi points out that while the overall tactic of mass attacks has not changed significantly, the quantity and quality of strike weapons have increased substantially.

He gave a telling example. Previously, North Korean ballistic missiles could miss their targets by approximately 1 kilometer. Now, the deviation has been reduced to roughly 100 meters.

The expert also noted a rise in attacks using Shahed drones with optical guidance, which employ onboard cameras to correct flight paths. This significantly increases strike accuracy and makes interception more difficult.