Massive missile attack on the west of Ukraine: experts named the causes and possible targets
The enemy hit two border regions – Lviv and Volyn.
Russia launched one of the most powerful missile strikes on the western regions of Ukraine / Collage: TSN.ua
In the morning of August 15, Russia carried out one of the most powerful missile attacks during the war on the western regions of our country. Cities that were previously not targeted by the enemy were affected by the massive nighttime missile attack. In total, 8 regions of the country were shelled.
The TSN.ua investigated why the occupiers changed tactics by launching missile attacks on Lviv, Volyn, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.
They changed tactics because Kyiv is not an easy target anymore
According to experts, the enemy changed his tactics somewhat.
"Previously, no matter the attack, the majority of enemy missiles were targeted towards Kyiv. Today they have changed tactics. I believe that the Russians finally realized that breaking through Kyiv's air defense systems is beyond their capabilities. Therefore, they decided to shift the region of their attacks.
I think they are looking for reserves of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Western weapons, upon which the combat readiness of our units and the capability to conduct offensive operations depend. That is why it was really a massive attack when almost all missiles were directed to the western regions - Khmelnytsky, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Volyn regions, "- military expert Oleh Zhdanov told TSN.ua.
Terrible consequences of the enemy missile attack on the western region / Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
They're hunting for weapons and an airfield
"There will be no reaction from Romania. Why? Because Romania acts clearly within the framework of NATO. If there is any reaction to the flight of a missile near the border of this country, it will only be a collective response from NATO. I believe that the Romanian side is unlikely to conduct any independent policy. They are part of a unified security system guaranteed by NATO. Therefore, decisions on what to say or not to say will be made collectively there," notes Oleh Zhdanov.
A production enterprise came under enemy fire in Lutsk / Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
They wanted to strike at pilots
Oleksandr Kovalenko, a military-political analyst from the "Information Resistance" group, states that the enemy's strike on the Kolomyia district of Ivano-Frankivsk region is related to the presence of an airfield, which the enemy previously struck with 'Kinzhals.'
"It's known that on this airfield, there were pilots who were preparing to depart for training on F-16 aircraft. So, the enemy struck the Kolomyia district with 'Kinzhals' to pre-empt, aiming to hit the pilots. I think that after that, the Russians conducted further reconnaissance and struck again," Oleksandr Kovalenko tells TSN.ua.
"Shahed” drones - for cheap terror
Regarding the attack on Lviv, where the enemy hit a children's playground amidst residential buildings, the expert suggests that there might be a factor in the accuracy problem when launching missiles.
"I am not familiar with Lviv and don't know what's nearby. But I can say that the Russians deliberately carry out terrorist acts against the civilian population. Each of their shelling is terror against civilians. However, it's important to understand that for deliberate terror, they use cheaper means, specifically kamikaze drones like 'Shaheds'. They use missiles when they need to hit an important or strategic target, because the cost of a missile is millions of dollars," says Oleksandr Kovalenko to the TSN.ua website.
In Lviv, a fire broke out in the attic of a five-story residential building after the missile attack / Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
Missiles with defects
He adds that the Russians are now producing missiles very quickly, which affects their quality.
"It's done very rapidly, urgently, without technical control. They simply don't conduct it! The quality of these missiles is highly doubtful. Such munitions have many defects, low performance characteristics, and in terms of accuracy, they show significant errors. So I don't exclude that it could have been a deviation from the target, let's call it that. Overall, it's not a secret that Ukraine is receiving necessary weapons, equipment, and munitions from its partners now. Therefore, it's possible that the enemy had information about this and attempted to strike such blows in the western regions," concludes Oleksandr Kovalenko.
How long will it last
In the Ukrainian Air Force, they say that the enemy is attempting to target not only military but also civilian and infrastructure objects, fuel and energy complex facilities, critical infrastructure.
"Statistics indicate that missile strikes by the enemy will continue as long as the Russian industry can produce missiles and acquire kamikaze drones, which they are currently attempting to manufacture domestically," noted Yuriy Ignat, Spokesperson for the Air Force Command of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, in an interview with TSN.ua.
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