Russia resorts to missile terror tactics, regroups on frontlines. Serhiy Zgurets' column

Missile attack on Kharkiv

In the early hours of April 18, Russian forces struck Kharkiv with missile weapons. A series of explosions occurred in one of the city’s districts at 05:09, just two minutes after the air raid alert was issued. Later, the prosecutor’s office reported that the aggressor used Iskander-K cruise missiles rather than ballistic ones. The strikes hit residential areas: one person was killed, and over a hundred were injured, including eight children.

Questions arise regarding the type of missiles used in the strike. According to the prosecutor’s office and photos of the debris, the missile bore the index 9M727. Such missiles are rarely used; the Iskander-K system typically employs missiles with the indexes 9M728 and 9M729. The presence of the 9M727 index, which is not among the standard types, indicates the existence of a modernized version with improved accuracy, terrain-following capabilities, and low-altitude flight - features that make interception significantly harder. This cruise missile can be equipped with various warheads. Reports mentioned an airburst over the city, typical of cluster munitions, though the prosecutor’s office stated that a high-explosive fragmentation warhead was used. It is likely that missiles with different types of warheads were employed.

The Russians' actions show that they are unable to achieve strategic success on the front line. That is why they are resorting to missile terror tactics.

Russia's attacks on business structures 

Recently, the aggressor has begun targeting Ukrainian business structures with missile strikes. Russian forces hit warehouses storing electronics for a private company in Kyiv. Prior strikes targeted Asnova Holding and Winetime, as well as facilities storing medical supplies. Damages exceed one billion hryvnias.

Over the past two weeks, Russia has significantly intensified missile strikes on both civilian cities and business infrastructure, aiming to undermine our resolve by suggesting that resistance is futile. This is clearly untrue, but Russia will likely continue its missile terrorism as part of a deliberate strategy. On our side, this raises the urgent need to strengthen air defense systems.

Frontline update

The Russian forces are not making any significant advances at the operational level. There is a squeeze on Ukrainian defense in certain areas, but the Russians are using features that were not present before. In particular, it is known that this week they launched massive attacks in two areas - Zaporizhzhia and Pokrovsk.

Two days ago, the commander of the National Guard spoke about the battle in the Pokrovsk sector, which lasted 7 hours. The Russian troops attacked using a large number of vehicles and motorcycles. 96 motorcyclists were killed, and the total Russian losses amounted to 240 people, including the dead.  These are significant losses for the Russians.

Motorcycle assaults are now becoming quite noticeable as an element of the Russian overall tactical actions, and this affects not only the Pokrovsk direction.

Pokrovsk direction

Recently, the Russians have been regrouping to some extent, says a pilot from Shershni Dovbusha of the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade operating in the Pokrovsk direction.

"As we understand it, the enemy is preparing for further assault operations, even slightly reducing the intensity of attacks. From this, we conclude they are regrouping and getting ready for the next phase. Accordingly, we are also preparing for those enemy assaults," he said.

A soldier and pilot of the Shershni Dovbusha unit of the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade, with the callsign Goose, said that no mass assaults using motorcycles have been observed in the brigade's area of responsibility. However, the challenge lies in the mobility of such groups, which allows Russian forces to suffer fewer losses from Ukrainian artillery and mortars. 

Ukraine Russia war live map, April 5-12, Photo: Espreso

He noted the specific use of a large number of radio-controlled FPV drones. In the event of a mass motorcycle assault, increasing the number of drones with fiber-optic control - already being actively deployed - would significantly help. However, additional procurement of such drones is needed to boost the effectiveness of counter-assault operations.

"It’s known that in these motorcycle assault groups, one or several riders usually carry compact electronic warfare devices - basically, “backpacks.” This complicates the work of Ukrainian FPV drones. So, we have to use more of them, so to speak, just to take out the motorcyclists," he added.

In March, the statistics show more than two hundred Russian servicemen killed and about two and a half hundred wounded. Several dozen Russian vehicles used for transportation were also destroyed. As for armored vehicles, there were fewer casualties, as they are rarely used in the brigade's area of responsibility. In addition, several ammunition depots were destroyed.

The Russian pilots' crews are the number one priority, just like Ukrainian crews are for them, the military says: “We look for, let's say, certain signs of the pilots' positions, find them, and, accordingly, our drones immediately go to work in this direction immediately.”

MP Roman Kostenko said that we can produce 4 million fpv drones in a year, but now the question arises of providing a sufficient number of combat parts for these drones. Sometimes units are forced to improvise and manufacture warheads on their own in the field. This needs to be more clearly regulated and opportunities provided to ensure that there is no gap between the number of drones and the number of combat units. Goose confirms that there are certainly more drones, but there are certain issues related to their ammunition. Therefore, the state should make more efforts to standardize such processes and increase the production of ammunition.

Recruiting to the division

A pilot from Shershni Dovbusha of the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade reported that their drone systems company will soon be reorganized into a full drone battalion.

"We’ll have many vacancies for both pilots and engineers working with FPV drones, Mavics, and large bombers. There will be a wide range of positions. After completing the basic general military training required for all recruits in our unit, we provide specialized training for pilots and engineers. Young people are our priority, of course. The best pilots often come from young men and women who used to play video games and flight simulators. But we also welcome others who may not have prior experience - everything can be learned, and they can inflict serious damage on the enemy. Our oldest pilot was around 50," he said.