Ukraine expects Russia to launch record number of Shaheds in autumn and winter

The spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat, made the statement on the United News telethon.

"We need to fight against drones, because this fall and winter will be record-breaking in terms of the number of Shahed launches," he said.

According to the spokesman, last month alone, Russian troops launched over 500 Shahed UAVs against Ukraine.

"Over the 6 months of the last heating season, over 1,000 Shaheds were used against Ukraine. Within just a single month, we have encountered a half a thousand of these drones," Ihnat emphasized.

• The day before, Ihnat said that September was a record month in terms of the number of Shahed drones launched by Russia against Ukraine. The attacks are expected to continue in the winter, but there will be fewer missile strikes.

• At the same time, on October 3, the commander of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Serhiy Nayev, announced the bolstering of the air defense system in the northern regions amid potential Russian strikes on energy infrastructure during winter.