A massive drone attack on Russia: an overview
Over 500 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were successfully countered by the air defense system.
Ukraine's latest drone assault on various Russian regions made headlines, bombarding at least 11 territories, including Moscow and its surrounding areas. This escalation occurred on May 6-7, a time of increased tension leading up to the Russian Victory Day commemorations.
The numbers behind the siege
- According to Russian sources: The interception or destruction of 524 Ukrainian drones was reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense, a count higher than in previous instances. However, some reports suggest intercepting 105 to 157 drones over the same period, illustrating the discrepancies in official statements.
- The capital under fire: Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed Russia stopped 19 drones targeting Moscow specifically. Debris from the destroyed drones caused localized disturbances, but no significant damage or injuries were recorded.
- Russia's air defense: In addition to the drones, Russian authorities claimed to have neutralized "several rockets," though the exact types and numbers of intercepted missiles were not specified.
Disruptions to Civilian Infrastructure and Airports
- Stranded travelers: Major airports serving Moscow and airports in other cities like Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Yaroslavl, and Kazan were forced to close temporarily, grounding flights and leading to hundreds of cancellations and delays, affecting thousands of passengers in Moscow and across Siberia.
- Over 4,000 passengers were left stranded in ten Siberian cities due to airspace restrictions and flight cancellations.
Russian counterattacks on Ukraine
- Drones and missiles targeting Ukraine: In unison, Russian forces launched their own wave of drone strikes on Ukraine. The night of May 5-6 saw approximately 136 Shahed and other drones being reportedly launched, primarily from Bryansk, Kursk, Oryol, Rostov, and Zaporizhia oblasts. Ukrainian air defenses reported downing 54 drones, with another 70 lost or neutralized through electronic warfare. These strikes damaged civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odesa oblasts, leading to at least one civilian casualty in Odesa.
- Russian targets: Ukrainian strikes primarily targeted the energy infrastructure, including a power substation in the Kursk border region, while Russian retaliatory strikes focused on military and civilian infrastructure in the rear and frontline areas.
Summary
| Aspect | Ukrainian Strikes (Russia) | Russian Strikes (Ukraine) ||-------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|| Drones Launched | 100–524 (varying reports) | 136 (Shahed and other) || Drones Downed/Intercepted | 105–524 (varying reports) | 54 downed, 70 lost/neutralized || Missiles Intercepted | "Several" (not specified) | Not specified || Infrastructure Targets | Airports, power substations | Civilian and military infrastructure, cities (Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro) || Civilian Impact | Airport closures, thousands stranded | Civilian casualties, infrastructure damage |
The global response
- United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern and urged both sides to exercise restraint.
- European Union: The EU is expected to expedite sanctions on Russia, targeting additional Russian officials and ships linked to the shadow fleet.
Key Insights
- Scale: The recent Ukrainian drone assault signifies the largest such attack on Russian territory since the invasion began.
- Defense: Despite the claims of a high number of interceptions by Russian air defenses, the attacks still caused significant disruptions to civilian infrastructure and aviation.
- Retaliation: In response, Russian forces carried out their own wave of drone strikes on Ukraine, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
Petrova reported that Russian authorities claimed to have neutralized several rockets during the drone attack on their territories. Additionally, according to Russian sources, 524 Ukrainian drones were reportedly intercepted or destroyed by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The attack resulted in at least one civilian casualty in Odesa, Ukraine, due to the strikes on civilian infrastructure. Moreover, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, voiced concern and urged both parties to exercise restraint.
