FOLLOW US

Russia has been hurling Iranian-made drones as part of its campaign to destroy Ukraine. The assault has been ongoing since October. And Thursday they hit the capital city of Kyiv harder than ever. 

According to the French news agency, AFP Russia has been dispatching explosive drone to selected regions targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure. And now the barrage includes "air and sea-based cruise missiles launched from strategic aircraft and ships." It was called a "massive" attack by Ukraine.

Ukraine Drones fighting back

Ukraine fought off the Russians in March and April with their elite AeroRozvedka tactical drone unit. Armed with Turkish Bayraktar TB2s for reconnaissance and attack operations the drones were one of embattled Ukraine’s most effective weapons.

Ukraine was winning the drone war in the early days of the Russian invasion. 

In early summer, Russian forces developed warning radars to identify whatever is in the air before it reaches a target. And they were also using jamming and disrupting the unmanned aerial vehicles' communications.

Russia used its air defense system for short and medium-range missiles. And a drone is especially vulnerable because they fly low and slow. 

Moscow began launching attacks with UAVs when its ground forces were losing ground and being pushed out of Ukraine.

Ukraine forces recently purchased 1,400 UAVs but are turning them into attack drones. Ukrainian digital transformation minister Mykhailo Fedorov told The AP that the latest attack drones can fly suicide missions and hit targets without being intercepted.

"The next stage, now that we are more or less equipped with reconnaissance drones, is strike drones.  I can say already that the situation regarding drones will change drastically in February or March,” Fedorov added.

The small, unmanned planes are now outfitted for both reconnaissance and attack operations.

Ukraine is launching its second massive counterattack in the war. And they are optimistic that it will once again be winning the war of the drones.