Russia enhances weapons and changes patterns of strikes on civilians: Expert reveals details

In recent weeks, Russia has shifted to a new, extremely massive airstrike tactic, deploying up to 500 aircraft of different types at once. Advanced ballistic and cruise missiles remain the primary threat to Ukraine’s air defense systems.

Retired Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko spoke about this during a broadcast on Kyiv24.

Strike pattern: 50 missiles and 450 drones.

According to the military expert, the enemy is assembling air attacks in a pattern that involves up to 500 aircraft.

"Up to fifty of these are typically ballistic and cruise missiles, while around 450 are different types of drones," Ihor Romanenko says.

He added that Russian forces are prioritizing their targets, focusing on the most critical sites and specific regions. As an example of recent attacks, the general mentioned Ternopil.

Main air defense challenges

Romanenko says that ballistic missiles, now more advanced, pose the greatest challenge for Ukraine’s air defense. The danger from cruise missiles, fired from multiple platforms, also continues to be significant.

- from ground-based launchers such as the Iskander;

- from strategic Tu-95MS aircraft.

"We are using standard anti-aircraft, surface-to-air missile, and anti-aircraft artillery systems. So far, the biggest challenges are the improved ballistic missiles, as well as cruise missiles launched from ground-based Iskander systems and Tu-95MS strategic bombers. Countering these threats will require increased efforts," Romanenko concluded.