The Air Force has identified the target of Russian strikes on Zakarpattia

The airstrikes on Zakarpattia may be intended as a show of force, as Russia is deliberately targeting the most remote and one of the least affected regions of Ukraine.

This was reported in a comment to Novyny.LIVE by Yuriy Ignat, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force. 

Ignat also stated that shooting down Russian drones is becoming significantly more difficult, even with the use of helicopters or American F-16 fighter jets. He explained that the drone is often invisible in the sky because it emerges from a cloud, and as soon as systems lock onto it, it dives back into the cloud. 

According to the Air Force representative, it has now been confirmed and proven that “Shaheds” are capable of maneuvering in flight in response to danger. This is because the drones are equipped with sensors that help them maneuver when a threat is detected. 

On May 17, Russian occupation forces carried out their first large-scale attack on the Zakarpattia region, which had been considered the safest region in Ukraine for over four years of full-scale invasion. 

The Russian strikes on Zakarpattia following political changes in Hungary may be a political reaction by the Kremlin. The Times reports this, suggesting that the attacks could be linked to a shift in political course in Budapest and the weakening of Viktor Orbán’s position.