A large-scale drone raid lasted for 12 hours
Ukrainian military forces deployed hundreds of attack drones against targets across the Russian Federation throughout September 19. The operation struck 12 Russian regions and occupied Crimea. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Юлія Капітонова) citing the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The operation to strike enemy rear areas took place between 08:00 and 20:00. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the aerial attack covered Belgorod, Kursk, Bryansk, Kaluga, Oryol, Tula, Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Vladimir regions.
The Moscow region, Krasnodar Krai, and the Black Sea area were also targeted. The Russian Ministry of Defence acknowledged that the total number of drones deployed by Ukraine amounted to hundreds.
Geographic scope of the attack
The Russian side claimed to have neutralized 288 unmanned aerial vehicles. However, the aggressor state has not disclosed precise information regarding the impact or the extent of damage to its infrastructure.
The offensive coincided with the voting period for the Russian State Duma elections, scheduled from September 18 to 20. Concurrently, the enemy is conducting illegal electoral activities in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
Advancement in countermeasures
Alongside the use of drones, Ukraine is enhancing its technological capabilities to counter enemy aviation. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on September 19 that domestic developments designed to intercept jet-powered drones have been successfully tested in combat.
The head of state also demonstrated the results of operations carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Specifically, evidence was released showing the destruction of a Russian Geran-5 drone using a Ukrainian interceptor.
Illustrative photo: ArmyInform / CC BY 4.0
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