Putin may use an explosive "star" against Kyiv: experts explain what it is

After the last, almost daily night attacks of the ‘Shaheds’ on the capital, the monitoring channels drew attention to the fact that these drones initially fly toward Zhytomyr but then turn around and attempt to attack the capital.

Social media users speculate that this could involve testing new routes for a powerful strike specifically on the capital. Military experts, in turn, reported that such tactics of changing routes are likely an attempt by the occupiers to force the Ukrainian Armed Forces to deploy air defense systems in various locations, "scattering" them.

"The 'Shaheds' constantly change their routes. This way, the occupiers not only try to find out where the air defense systems are located, or where the territory is more saturated with mobile fire groups, but they also try to force us to deploy air defense systems and mobile fire groups in different locations. This is aimed at dispersing resources. They are trying to make us do this. What the chosen primary route for the main strike will be — no one knows," says military-political analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko from the "Information Resistance" group in a comment for TSN.ua.

Regarding the risk of a primary strike, the expert does not rule out that it could be massive and combined.

"I think there is such a risk — in November, there may be a strike using a combined missile component. Of course, it will be reinforced by drones. They will be synchronized and may accompany the missile strike," the analyst says.

He notes that the occupiers could have accumulated over 120 missiles like the X-101/555 only due to production.

"This is only due to production. Not to mention all the other missiles," Kovalenko adds.

In summary, the expert does not exclude that the Putin's army may have chosen a pause tactic, waiting for cold weather and the heating season in Ukraine: "They may plan for the beginning of November, the start of the heating season, to target energy infrastructure."

They may direct an explosive "star"

Military expert, reserve colonel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Roman Svitan, in a comment for TSN.ua, states that Putin's army is looking for safe routes for the ‘Shaheds’ to approach Kyiv. It is possible they may launch what is referred to as a "star."

"Such attacks by the 'Shaheds' are attempts to bypass air defense, approaching the capital from a different azimuth. There have been attempts to approach from the east, northeast, west, south, and southwest. Now it’s from the direction of Zhytomyr. Overall — once again unsuccessfully, as some of the 'Shaheds' were destroyed," says Svitan.

According to him, such attacks are standard operations of the enemy's strike capabilities.

"What else could happen — they might use the so-called 'star.' That is, to approach the city with 'Shaheds' from all possible azimuths. For this, they could use about 150 'Shaheds' simultaneously. This could be part of a routing strategy," Svitan concludes.

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