(Dan Tri) – Experts from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that Russia’s new attacks on Ukraine’s energy system are aimed at weakening the defense industry’s potential.
Tu-95 strategic bomber of the Russian Air Force (Photo: Telegram).
According to ISW, on March 21 and 22, the Russian military carried out the largest series of combined missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since
Analysts note that Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities may be aimed at weakening the country’s defense industrial potential.
In addition, Moscow forces may be trying to exploit the lack of enemy air defense missile systems in a new attempt to destroy Ukraine’s energy system.
Experts added that Russian forces failed to destroy Ukraine’s power grid on March 22, but could continue to conduct further targeted attacks, especially taking advantage of long delays.
Ukraine’s air defense is in an increasingly difficult situation as ammunition supplies from the US, an important military sponsor, remain blocked due to political controversy in Parliament, but Kiev claims its air defense
Russia launched a total of 151 missiles and UAVs at the cities of Kharkov, Zaporizhia, Kryvyi Rih and elsewhere, mainly targeting energy infrastructure.
The hydroelectric plant in Zaporizhia, Ukraine’s largest, was among the damaged facilities.
According to reports, 55 Shahed UAVs, 35 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles and 2 Kh-59 guided cruise missiles were shot down by Ukrainian forces.
The Russian military used a total of 63 Shahed UAVs, 12 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 40 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles, 5 Kh-22 cruise missiles, 7 Kh-
The UAVs were allegedly launched from the Primorsko – Akhtarsk direction in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, while the missiles were carried out from Belgorod, Tambov, Kursk, Rostov, Caspian Sea, Crimea and Zaporizhia.
Russia launched a drone attack on Ukraine (Photo Pravda).
Notable points in ISW’s March 22 report:
First, on March 21 and 22, the Russian military carried out the largest series of combined missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since its inception.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities may be aimed at weakening Ukraine’s defense industrial capabilities, and Russian forces may be trying to exploit a shortage of missile defense systems.
Second, Russian forces will likely continue to attack through spring 2024, preparing for a landmark action expected in the summer and possibly attempting an offensive campaign.
Third, Russia may also try to take advantage of its adversary’s current logistical shortage by preparing for moves that would force Ukraine to use as much of the Western security assistance it can get as possible.
Fourth, Ukrainian military commanders appear to be prioritizing the rotation of forward units, but will be forced to address additional personnel issues if they hope to seize the initiative in 2024.
Fifth, Russian troops have recently made confirmed advances near Kremennaya, Avdiivka, Donetsk and the administrative border areas of Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions amid ongoing battles for position along