Russia’s new swarm drone tactics are winning the war
London | Kyiv | Russia’s “swarm” tactics against Ukraine are increasingly cutting through the country’s defences, with drones striking targets at three times the typical rate in recent months, according to official data.
Mass attacks of Shaheds, an Iranian-designed drone now manufactured in Russia, appear to be overwhelming Ukraine’s beleaguered air defences, with the drone hit rate reaching its highest levels since Moscow’s invasion.
Ukrainian air force data suggests about 15 per cent of the drones penetrated defences on average between April and June – rising from just 5 per cent in the previous three months.
The sheer volume of Russian attacks has also increased sharply this year, with a heavy assault on Sunday night into Monday morning including 426 Shahed-style attack drones, Ukraine’s air force reported.