Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine to overwhelm its air defense systems, according to the ISW
The massive attack on Ukraine on March 23–24 marks a significant and dangerous shift in Russia’s tactics. The new strategy allows Russia to maintain pressure over a longer period and cover wider regions.
This was reported by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War.
It is not just about the scale of the strikes, but about a systematic approach: the attacks are spread out over time, combining missiles and drones, and the main goal is to overwhelm and expose vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s air defense.
Serhiy Flesh Beskrestnov, an advisor to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, stated that the change in the duration of the strikes is likely aimed at identifying weaknesses in the air defense system and overcoming them. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, added that Russian forces have been building up resources for some time to carry out more intense and prolonged strikes targeting civilian facilities across Ukraine.
The ISW emphasizes that Russia is employing a “build-up and strike” tactic: a limited number of missiles are launched over several days, followed by massive attacks involving the simultaneous use of missiles and large numbers of drones. This allows them to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses and amplify the destructive effect.
According to experts, Russia is already close to being able to launch over 1,000 strike drones in a single series of attacks. The events of March 23–24 provided the most recent example of such a scenario unfolding.
Analysts also point to the political factor. Such strikes often coincide with important diplomatic events. The latest attack occurred after U.S.-Ukrainian talks in Florida, which may indicate an attempt to pressure Kyiv and its allies.
Experts warn that Moscow may exploit the shortage of air defense systems, particularly Patriots, as well as the diversion of attention to the Middle East, to intensify its air campaign against Ukraine.
In the Chernihiv region, an energy facility was damaged as a result of an enemy attack, causing a power outage for consumers. Approximately 150,000 customers in the city of Chernihiv and the Chernihiv region are without power.
On March 24, Russian occupiers launched a massive attack on western regions of Ukraine using kamikaze drones. In Lviv, one of the drones struck a building in the city center, causing a fire.
This attack was part of a large-scale air offensive by the Russian Federation that on March 24 swept across several regions of Ukraine, including critical infrastructure facilities in the rear regions.
