Russia Intensifies Airstrike Campaign in Ukraine
In a recent statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy revealed the scale of Russia’s aerial assault on the nation, detailing a significant increase in the use of guided aerial bombs, drones, and missiles. Over the course of March, Russia has launched more than 3,000 guided aerial bombs, deployed 600 drones, and fired 400 missiles at Ukrainian targets.
The escalation in attacks has been particularly focused on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The past two weeks have seen a concentrated effort by Russian forces to dismantle this critical system, which has already suffered extensive damage from previous bombardments since the onset of the full-scale invasion 25 months ago.
Alongside the attacks on infrastructure, there has been a noted increase in the use of guided air-dropped bombs along the frontlines. These weapons are released from warplanes within Russian-controlled territory and are designed to glide at high speed towards their targets. This method allows for a large volume of explosives to be delivered efficiently, targeting Ukrainian fortifications and buildings in close proximity to the front. While this strategy emphasizes the destructive force of the blasts, it does so at the expense of precision.
The use of such weaponry indicates a strategic shift by Moscow to exert pressure on Ukraine through long-range air strikes. The choice of these weapons suggests an attempt to maximize damage and disrupt Ukrainian defenses without engaging in direct ground combat. As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely, assessing the implications of this intensified aerial campaign on the broader dynamics of the war.
