Russians plan to launch 500 drones over Ukraine simultaneously – Ukraine's intelligence
The Russian military plans to expand the number of launch pads, potentially enabling the simultaneous deployment of around 500 unmanned aerial vehicles.
The Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Vadym Skibitsky stated this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
As Skibitsky explained, Russian drones now fly every night because the Russians have significantly increased the production of various types of drones.
In previous years, the focus was primarily on Shahed UAVs, followed by "Geran-1" and "Geran-2." However, the range of these UAVs has now significantly expanded. The new additions include:
- "Garpiya,"
- "Gerbera,"
- and "Parodiya."
At the same time, these drones are both combat strike, reconnaissance, and false targets, which are drones without a combat load. Skibitsky stressed that this generally overloads the Ukrainian air defense system.
In addition, Russian production facilities have significantly increased the production of drones. The official explained that this allows the occupiers to use 150 to 200 UAVs in one strike.
As Skibitsky noted, the Russians plan to increase the number of launch pads for drone attacks. According to the Russian command, if the plans are implemented in the first half of the year, they will be able to launch approximately 500 drones simultaneously.
At the same time, the deputy head of Ukraine's intelligence noted that the occupiers' targets for strikes have not changed, these are:
- the control system of Ukraine's armed forces and the Defense Forces in general,
- aviation,
- airfields.
It also concerns:
- the most critical elements of the infrastructure, in particular the energy and gas transportation systems,
- as well as enterprises of the defense-industrial complex.
Skibitsky recalled that recently the Russians have been trying to destroy the gas transportation system and gas fields.
"The enemy understands: this is what is needed for our population, to provide its needs with its gas," he added.
For reference:
As reported, gas production in Ukraine fell by 40% after Russian missile strikes.
On the night of February 20, the Russian invaders used 161 drones against Ukraine. Air defense forces operated in 11 regions of the country: 80 UAVs were destroyed, another 78 drones did not reach the target.
In particular, on the night of February 20, Russian occupation forces massively attacked Ukraine's gas infrastructure, causing damage to production facilities.
Also on February 11, the production facilities of the Naftogaz Group were damaged in the Poltava region as a result of a Russian attack.
