Russia Sets New Record for Long-Range Drone Strikes in Ukraine in April

Kathmandu. Russia has set a new record in April with unprecedented use of long-range attack drones on Ukraine. An AFP analysis based on data released by Kyiv's air force indicates that the nature of the war is becoming more aggressive and widespread.

According to a compilation of published daily reports, Russia launched a total of 6,583 long-range drone sorties throughout April. This is a 2% increase compared to the previous month. Even in March, a record was set with numerous drone strikes, but April has broken that limit. This continuously increasing usage shows that Moscow is intensifying its air attack strategy.

A notable change in this phase of the war is the increase in attacks during daylight hours. Drone attacks, which were previously mostly concentrated at night, have started occurring in broad daylight in recent weeks. Analysts consider this a new strategy adopted with the aim of causing more damage to civilian areas.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), large-scale attacks during both night and day can have serious consequences for civilian safety. It is warned that open areas and public spaces may be targeted, where the presence of people is likely to increase as the weather warms up.

The Ukrainian side claims its defense capabilities are strong. According to air force data, it has managed to shoot down approximately 88% of the total drones and missiles launched. Kyiv has been presenting its air defense system as one of the most effective in the world, which has been resisting Russian attacks for a long time.

Ukrainian officials have described the daytime attacks as an 'attempt to terrorize civilians'. According to Deputy Head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, Ihor Zhovkva, such attacks not only cause physical damage but also severely disrupt economic activity. "Attacks in the middle of the workday have a paralyzing effect on businesses and daily life," he said in an interview.

Earlier, during the winter, Russia targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, disrupting electricity and heating systems, which left millions of citizens without basic services in the cold weather. Now, the strategy has changed, and both the timing and nature of the attacks appear to have expanded.

Moscow, however, denies accusations of targeting civilians, claiming its attacks are focused on military and energy infrastructure. Nevertheless, thousands of civilians have lost their lives since the war began in February 2022, including those in drone and missile attacks on residential buildings.

The increase in the intensity of attacks, along with ongoing negotiations mediated by the United States, indicates that efforts to resolve the conflict have become more complex. The increased use of drones and new strategies suggest that the direction of the war will become even more unstable in the coming days.