Main points
- Russia carried out an atypical massive attack on Ukraine during the day using Shahed drones.
- The attack, which led to significant destruction and casualties in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, and Vinnytsia, may be part of a comprehensive pressure on Ukrainians.
Massive attack on Ukraine / Collage by Channel 24 / photo Getty Images, Channel 24
The night attack on Ukraine on March 24 continued with massive launches of “Shaheeds” during the day. The Russians insidiously targeted residential buildings in various regions of the country. Experts say the atypical attack could have several reasons.
- 1 Why was Ukraine suddenly attacked en masse in the middle of the day?
- 2 What is special about the attack on Lviv?
- 3 What could the enemy be preparing for next?
Before that, the occupiers reduced the intensity of their massive attacks on Ukraine for a while, which also happened for a reason. Especially for Channel 24, experts analyzed the enemy's cynical attack, explaining why it decided to suddenly change tactics and what to expect from Russian strikes in the future.
Why was Ukraine suddenly attacked en masse in the middle of the day?
The atypical attack on Ukraine began at night, noted military observer Vasyl Pekhno. Interestingly, while drones were flying over Ukrainian cities, the Russians were also planning to strike with Zircon anti-ship missiles. However, the Bastion launchers from which the missiles were to be fired were discovered and hit by GUR fighters, effectively thwarting the enemy's plan.
There is an assumption that the Russians are simply annoyed by our ability to hit their important targets, which is why they started to bombard Western Ukraine and other regions they could reach with Shahed missiles. To put it in perspective, it's as if we had destroyed Tomahawk missile launchers – that's why the Russians are so irritated,
– explained the military observer.
In addition, Ukrainian sky defenders demonstrated phenomenal work in shooting down drones and cruise missiles. All launched Kh-101 and Iskander-K, which flew to Ukraine at night, were destroyed. And out of 392 drones, 365 units were neutralized. So the daytime attack can be considered a continuation of the night attack, during which the Russians suffered a complete failure.
It is also worth noting that the day before, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the Russians had once again restored the network of relays. They allow the Shahed to strike at the regions of Ukraine, controlling them directly. This creates an even greater danger.
Reference . This concerns Russia's plans to further deploy ground-based long-range drone control stations in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and four stations in Belarus. These are Mesh communication systems. Thanks to them, a drone can enter, for example, from the south or through the central regions, and when it is closer to the target, connect to another drone in the air. In this case, only one drone repeater is needed to provide communication for controlling the task.
“We have experience in destroying such repeaters both in Belarus and in Crimea. This is simply a new condition in the problem that we have to solve,” Pehnyo noted.
The military observer also added that the Russians do not consider such attacks on exclusively civilian targets to be a waste of resources. Having created a humanitarian catastrophe and inflicted financial losses, they believe they have accomplished “important” tasks.
What is the reason for the daytime attack on Ukraine: watch the video
What is special about the attack on Lviv?
Recently, there have been fewer massive attacks on Ukraine. It is quite possible that the reason for this was the Russians' problems with Starlink. In addition, Russia could have supplied “Shaheeds” to Iran against the backdrop of aggravation in the Middle East. However, now, says aviation expert and Air Force reserve officer Anatoly Khrapchinsky, the situation may change.
A long time after we deprived them of the ability to use Starlink, Shahed flights began along the northern border of Ukraine with Belarus. That is, they tested certain communication capabilities. After they tested it sufficiently well, they gained some understanding,
– explained Khrapchinsky.
The aviation expert also suggested that, most likely, cameras with mesh communication could be found on the drones that attacked Lviv.
In addition, there are currently favorable weather conditions that allow the Russians to actively use the “Shaheeds” over Ukraine. According to the aviation expert, the enemy's main task today is to overload and maximally tire the air defense forces. This is easier to do with the help of continuous launches of the “Shaheeds” than by launching expensive missiles that the Ukrainian defense forces have learned to shoot down.
What could the enemy be preparing for next?
Roman Svitan, a reserve colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a pilot instructor and military expert, noted that many Russian drones flew aimed at residential buildings in various cities of Ukraine. These were not random targets, the drones hit exactly where they planned.
The Russians have specifically started a direct genocide using Russian-Chinese “Geraniums”, of which there are a considerable number. They have accumulated them over the past 2-3 weeks, and now they are trying to launch these drones almost continuously for more than 24 hours. They want to put pressure on society,
– Svitan emphasized.
In this cynical way, the Russians hope that the Ukrainians will demand that the authorities accept the Kremlin's capitulation demands during negotiations.
In addition, a sacred date for Moscow is approaching – May 9. On the eve of the so-called holiday, Vladimir Putin always tries to show his people at least some “victories.” Even if it is outright terror of Ukraine.
“This may be the beginning of certain formation operations before offensive operations. They have a spring escalation before May 9. Comprehensive pressure has begun on our territory: personnel and equipment are being pulled up on the front line; and drones and cruise missiles are being launched in several waves from the rear,” the military expert concluded.
What is known about the consequences of the massive attack on Ukraine: the main things
-
The main Russian attacks during the daytime attack on February 24 were: Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, and Vinnytsia.
-
At least three drone strikes are known in Lviv. Two of them hit a house in the Sykhiv district of the city. Two “Shahedas” hit one house from two sides. A drone also attacked a church in the center of Lviv, which is a UNESCO heritage site.
-
In Ivano-Frankivsk, the enemy tried to target an administrative building in the city center. However, the drone hit a maternity hospital. Two people are known to have died, including a National Guardsman. He came to visit his wife, who had just given birth.
-
In Vinnytsia, 11 people are currently injured as a result of the attack, of whom 6 are hospitalized and 5 have received medical assistance. Unfortunately, a 59-year-old man has also been reported dead.
-
According to preliminary data from the Air Force, during the day on March 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Russians launched 556 strike drones over Ukraine. It is worth adding that this is a continuation of the night attack, during which the occupiers attacked Ukrainian regions with 392 drones.