Missiles can’t stop them all: Russia’s fake Shaheds flood Ukrainian skies
Published on May 20, 2025
Ukraine and Russia remain locked in an escalating aerial conflict, with Russia continuously upgrading its Shahed attack drones and refining tactics to bypass Ukraine’s defenses, according to Ukrainian Air Force officials. Russia’s strikes involve a wide array of weapons, often hitting civilian infrastructure despite official denials—actions Ukraine and international observers deem deliberate and criminal. The latest Russian tactic involves deploying numerous high-altitude drones, including explosive decoys that mimic real threats, overwhelming Ukraine’s air defense systems. In response, Ukraine is leveraging a combination of aviation, air defense, electronic warfare, and drone units to counter the relentless attacks.