”They were flying in circles around cities”: Air Force shares details of Russia’s night attack

The Russian Federation continues to terrorise Ukraine with air strikes, trying to probe the weak points of Ukraine’s air defence and spread panic among its citizens.

Source: Colonel Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: “This time, they sent in kamikaze drones, and reconnaissance drones, and missiles that flew in circles (they are programmed to go in circles around cities).

What is the goal? I don’t even think it’s to spread panic, that’s always the case, but in general, [the goal is] to distract the air defence system and to identify its weak points. The Shaheds [Iranian-made UAVs – ed.] are used to deplete ammunition and probe the weak points of our air defence.

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The missiles are also supposed to mislead us because they are launched in one direction, then they change direction and fly in circles along their route. They are of course destroyed whenever possible.

Four out of six Kh-101/Kh-55 air-launched cruise missiles were destroyed today.”

Details: Ihnat recalled that a Kh-55 is designed to carry a tactical nuclear charge, but Russia often uses these missiles with no warheads as false targets to deplete the Ukrainian air defence.

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He said this may indicate that Russia may be saving its stock of high-precision long-range weapons, plus it wants Ukraine to use up its anti-aircraft missiles.

Background: On the night of 8-9 June, the Russians attacked Ukraine with six cruise missiles and launched up to 16 attack UAVs. Air defence forces destroyed four cruise missiles and 10 drones.

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