Russia fires over 6,000 drones, missiles at Ukraine this autumn - WSJ

The Wall Street Journal reports.

According to the newspaper, the number of deadly aerial targets launched by Russia this autumn is four times higher than in the same autumn months of 2023.

The media outlet notes that Russia is using an unprecedented number of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which the Russians are copying at a factory in Tatarstan, as well as ballistic missiles that are harder to intercept. One of Moscow's new tactics is the use of cheap decoy drones to deplete Ukraine's air defenses. In addition, the Russian army is using thermobaric warheads and missiles that evade radar.

At the same time, the WSJ notes that Ukraine's ability to intercept missiles has improved after deteriorating earlier this year. In October, 93% of all drones were intercepted or lost. The West has supplied Ukraine with more air defense systems that can shoot down modern missiles, but President Zelenskyy says the country needs much more.

Mobile air defense units are forbidden to approach any drones they shoot down because some are programmed to delay detonation after a crash. Some Shahed drones are programmed to avoid any locations where they have previously encountered mobile groups. If one is shot down over a particular location, the others avoid it for about a month, representatives of the mobile firing teams told reporters. 

The Shaheds have also learnt to fly over forests or swamps, where it is impossible to deploy mobile groups. Some fly to one target and then turn around and fly to another. Russia has recently started painting its attack drones black to make them harder to see at night. Therefore, as the newspaper notes, Ukraine is forced to find more effective ways to counter enemy drones.

• On the night of December 9, the Russian forces launched attack drones and guided missiles at Ukraine. Air defense forces destroyed 18 UAVs and 2 Kh-59/69 missiles.