This audio is created with AI assistance
Russia has launched around 3,800 kamikaze drones at Ukraine since September 2022, Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television on Dec. 31.
The use of kamikaze drones was incorporated by Russia into its arsenal back in September 2022, along with the use of ballistic and cruise missiles, the latter of which are more expensive to produce.
The aim has been to overwhelm Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
While Ukraine's air defense successfully took out most of those drones, air defense remains a significant issue going into 2024, according to Ihnat.
"About 3,000 of those drones were destroyed by the Defense Forces. That is something to think about. We still need more systems to counteract strike drones," he said.
How Russia uses Iranian drones to try to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defense
Russia’s been shelling civilian housing and infrastructure since the war escalated on Feb. 24 and has a body count in the thousands to show for it. But recently, Moscow prioritized attacking power plants throughout Ukraine, damaging more than a third with big missile and loitering munition attacks.…
Igor Kossov
(Updated: )
