Russia’s drone, missile barrage marks tactical shift in strikes on Ukraine

Ukrainian officials described the operation as one of the most intense in recent weeks.

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, the assault involved 440 Shahed-type drones (including localized variants Herbera and Parody), 2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, 16 Kh-101 cruise missiles, 4 Kalibr missiles, and several other guided munitions.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted:

• 239 Shahed drones, with 163 neutralized through electronic warfare;
• 1 of 2 Kinzhals;
• 15 of 16 Kh-101 missiles;
• Other missile types (Kh-59/69, Kh-31P) were launched in smaller quantities.

Ukrainian military and political observer Oleksandr Kovalenko writes that while not the largest attack numerically, the scale and focus of the June 17 assault suggest a shift in Russian tactics: mass drone raids concentrated on specific cities instead of dispersed strikes across the country. Both Kyiv and Odesa were targeted almost exclusively during the night.

This focused approach has been observed since early June. Kovalenko suggests that Russia is stockpiling drones for several days and then launching high-volume attacks. 

For example, from June 11 to 14, daily drone launches ranged between 55 and 85 units. On June 15 and 16, those numbers jumped to 183 and 138 drones, respectively. The June 17 strike with 440 drones and missiles marks a significant escalation.

Despite the scale, Ukrainian air defenses remained active and effective. Kyiv’s defenses operated at full capacity. Odesa, while less heavily fortified, also repelled the attack.

Analysts warn that this may not be the full extent of Russia’s strike capabilities. The data suggests that Moscow still holds a reserve of over 100 drones, which could be used in upcoming attacks.

This wave of strikes, coming just a week after a similar concentrated attack on June 10, may signal a coordinated campaign — with Kyiv struck on a weekly basis and other cities targeted in between.

As Ukraine approaches the fourth year of full-scale war, Russian forces appear to be shifting from attempting breakthroughs on the battlefield to terror tactics aimed at undermining morale and civilian resilience.

• Massive Russian aerial assault kills at least 14 people in Kyiv, one in Odesa, injures over 100.