The Ukrainian military said today, Friday, that Russia launched 16 drones at Ukraine overnight, and the air defenses destroyed ten of them.
The Ukrainian civil authorities stated that the drones destroyed ‘only civilian infrastructure’ in the eastern Kharkiv region, resulting in one person being injured.
Reuters was unable to independently verify the report of the Ukrainian Air Forces. Russia has not yet commented.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen significant developments, with both sides experiencing advancements and setbacks. In the latter half of 2022, Ukraine’s counter-attacks led to Russian retreats on several fronts, but Russia has since made steady advances in eastern Ukraine. Key moments include Russia’s initial failure to capture Kyiv, reported atrocities, and a shift in focus to the eastern Donbas region. Russia’s gains in Donbas, notably in Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk, were significant despite heavy casualties. Ukraine’s counter-offensives, bolstered by Western weaponry and sanctions on Russia, led to notable gains, including in Kherson and Kharkiv province. However, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure since late 2022, and recent months have seen a new Russian offensive with incremental gains, particularly around the city of Bakhmut .
On the eastern front, Russia’s focus has been on capturing key areas such as Avdiivka, crucial for controlling the southeastern Donbas region. Despite heavy fortifications and the deployment of a large number of troops, Russian advances have been described as Pyrrhic, with significant losses and limited territorial gains. The use of FPV drones has been highlighted as a key aspect of Russia’s strategy, although their effectiveness is debated. Ukraine’s counter-offensive efforts have been hampered by a lack of air support and difficulties in breaching Russian defenses. The winter months are expected to see a focus on defense and preparation for future offensives .
