Intensified Aggression in Ukraine: Russia More Than Doubled the Quantity of Missiles Launched Towards Ukraine Over the Past Six Months
In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the period from June to August 2022 witnessed a significant escalation in aerial attacks, drone strikes, and strategic attention.
Russia ramped up its drone and missile launches into Ukraine during this period. In June, Russia fired approximately 5,438 drones and 239 missiles into Ukrainian territory, with a daily average of 181 drones and nearly eight missiles. Ukraine's air defenses intercepted about 87.2% of drones and 73% of missiles during June.
The intensity increased in July, with Russian drone attacks reaching a record high of 6,245 drones and 198 missiles, averaging around 201 drones and six missiles per day. Interception rates were around 89% for drones and 61% for missiles, indicating intense aerial combat and Ukraine's robust air defense efforts despite heavy bombardment.
Ukraine, in response, conducted several attacks on Russian industrial and military sites, striking facilities and oil refineries in Russian regions such as Ryazan, Penza, Samara, and Voronezh. Notably, drone strikes reportedly caused significant fires at oil depots and refineries, including one near Sochi.
In terms of nuclear submarine deployments, although direct deployments around this period are not extensively detailed, there was increased concern and strategic attention regarding US nuclear submarines reportedly moving closer to Russian waters by August 2022.
Moscow demands that Ukraine cede four regions (Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporijjia, Kherson) and the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, annexed in 2014. These conditions, including the annexation of territories and the renunciation of Western support, are unacceptable to Kiev.
Vladimir Putin desires a "lasting peace" in Ukraine, but the peace conditions proposed by Moscow remain unchanged. The Russian army intercepted a total of 112 drones fired by Ukraine during the night.
As the conflict continues, both sides are demonstrating their capabilities in drone warfare and missile launches, while nuclear submarines remain a strategic factor in the broader context of the conflict. The future of peace in Ukraine remains uncertain, with both parties seemingly far from reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.
[1] Source for aerial attacks and interception rates: [Link to source 1] [2] Source for drone strike operations and impact: [Link to source 2] [3] Source for nuclear submarine deployments: [Link to source 3] [4] Additional source for aerial warfare: [Link to source 4] [5] Additional source for drone-based attacks: [Link to source 5]
Politics and general news have been dominated by social updates on the escalating war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides demonstrating their advanced capabilities in drone warfare and missile launches. The conflict's impact on Ukraine and surrounding regions, including economic sectors like oil industry, has been significant, as evident by the drone strikes on Russian industrial and military sites.
