Main points
- Russia carried out a massive shelling of Ukraine, using cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as over 1,500 drones.
- The shelling was aimed at depleting Ukraine's air defense system and creating a suitable backdrop for Trump's visit to Xi, trying to show his role in international negotiations.
Putin launched a massive attack on Ukraine / Collage of Channel 24
Russia launched a massive shelling of Ukraine that lasted for over 24 hours. The first wave occurred during the day on May 13, and the second at night on May 14.
- 1 Why did Russia drag out the attack for so long?
- 2 What other features were there in Russia's attack on Ukraine?
- 3 What was the purpose of the shelling of Ukraine against the backdrop of Trump's visit to Xi?
The massive attack included strikes with cruise missiles, ground- and air-launched ballistic missiles, and over 1,500 drones. Military and political experts specifically for Channel 24 analyzed the specifics of this Russian attack on Ukraine, explained why it took place at this particular time, and what to expect from the occupiers next.
Why did Russia drag out the attack for so long?
Major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, political scientist Andriy Tkachuk said that in mid-April there was a similar attack that began one morning and ended in a day. During the day, the Russians attacked Ukraine with drones, and then intensified with more missiles. The goal of the occupiers is to exhaust the air defense system, exhaust our capabilities and means, which is why they stretched the attack in time.
In addition, there is an element of psychological influence on society, businesses that operate during the day to demoralize the population and to answer for the fact that Ukraine created problems for them during the parade, when Russia had to bend and ask the US to establish a ceasefire. This is how they respond to the civilian population, as always, putting pressure on our society and people,
– said the major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He continued that it is difficult for them to launch such a large number of drones at the same time, since Ukraine also significantly influences the sources of these drones, that is, it strikes airfields and launch pads. Even in 2026, the Forces of Unmanned Systems repeatedly hit airfields in the Donetsk region. The Russians have many problems, but at the same time there are many tasks that they are trying to accomplish during the attacks.
Tkachuk explained why Russia dragged out the attack for a long time: watch the video
What other features were there in Russia's attack on Ukraine?
Military observer Vasyl Pekhno noted that more than 1,500 drones that attacked Ukraine in one day is a record. Its peculiarity is that the Russians more actively used the border areas. The “Shaheeds” actually passed over the territory of Belarus, Moldova, and Romania. On its territory, Ukraine has the opportunity to deploy air defense systems much better.
“According to my information, approximately 30% of enemy UAVs have now been neutralized by anti-aircraft drones. The Russians, realizing this, are trying to find different tactics and are actually using the territory of neighboring countries to shell Ukraine. Ukraine cannot shoot down targets over the territory of Moldova or Romania, and they do not shoot them down either, so Russia often uses these corridors to strike Western Ukraine,” the military observer emphasized.
According to him, for example, Uzhhorod suffered the largest drone attack during the war. It is difficult to find logic in the terrorist's actions, because the vast majority of attacks were on residential buildings. This massive shelling also took place against the backdrop of Trump's talks with Xi, which are taking place in China. In this way, Russia wanted to show the two leaders of the superpowers that it is still afloat.
Pehnyo described the features of Russia's attack on Ukraine: watch the video
What was the purpose of the shelling of Ukraine amid Trump's visit to Xi?
Alexander Leonov, executive director of the Penta Center for Applied Political Research, expressed the opinion that by shelling Ukraine, Putin at least sought to provide an appropriate background for Trump's visit to Xi and to remind him not to negotiate about Russia without Russia. Putin now fears that the US and China will reach some agreement on the contours of a conversation about Ukraine without Russia.
China is the country that can force Russia not only to cease fire, but also to be a guarantor that Russia will fulfill this agreement. And here the question is who is in whose zone of national interests, and who is the main one. Putin likes to shell Ukraine on the eve of talks with Trump, etc. Usually it is in Kyiv, because there are both Western journalists and embassies here,
– emphasized the executive director of the Center for Applied Political Research “Penta”.
He added that Putin is behaving like a terrorist with hostages, who demands to be given his wishes and starts killing the hostages, blaming it on law enforcement officers. Putin is trying to show himself as an influential person who should also be at the negotiating table.
Leonov answered what was the purpose of the shelling of Ukraine against the backdrop of Trump's visit to Xi: watch the video
Massive shelling of Ukraine: what is known
- On the afternoon of May 13, Russia launched a combined strike on Ukrainian territory. Drones flew over virtually the entire territory of Ukraine, including the western regions.
- On the night of May 13-14, Russia began attacking Ukraine with missiles. In the morning, the attack was continued with drones.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia will feel the response after its massive strike. The Defense Forces and special services are already working on this.