Russia has changed its tactics of attacks on Ukraine: what is happening.

According to FREEДOM:

Combined attack of Russia on Ukraine

On the night of August 28, Russia launched a combined attack on Ukraine, firing 629 air assault vehicles – 'Kinzhal' missiles, 'Iskander', X-101 and 'Shaheds'. The Ukrainian air defense system destroyed 589 missiles and drones.

Damage in Kyiv and casualties

Kyiv suffered one of the most powerful strikes in recent times. In the Darnytsia district, Russian troops destroyed part of a five-story building. Significant destruction also occurred in the Shevchenkivskyi district – the EU representation in Ukraine, media offices, the British consulate, the Intercity train park, and many other sites were affected. In total, approximately 100 buildings were damaged.

As a result of the strike on the capital on August 28, 25 people died, and dozens were injured.

Target of attacks and international reaction

Currently, the main focus of Russian attacks is on civilian infrastructure. This is done to influence the military-political situation in Ukraine, in order to force political leadership to agree to so-called peace negotiations.

It is worth mentioning that the Kremlin dictator, in his speech on September 30, 2022, noted that during World War II, the anti-Hitler allies used the tactic of mass bombing of German cities like Cologne and Dresden. As early as 2022, he confirmed the possibility of attacks on civilian citizens and infrastructure of Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian authorities and international organizations consider these strikes to be war crimes of the Russian Federation, emphasizing their targeted nature.

Technology of attacks and their consequences

It should be noted that the enemy increasingly uses ballistic missiles for attacks on Ukrainian cities, which are difficult to intercept. Aeroballistic missiles can only be shot down by modern air defense systems Patriot or SAMP/T, which are lacking in Ukraine. Russia understands this and deliberately targets strikes on civilian infrastructure.

These missiles can reach Kyiv in just two minutes if launched, for example, from the Bryansk region.

On the night of August 28, the enemy used aeroballistic missiles X-47M2 'Kinzhal' from the airspace of Lipetsk and Voronezh regions of the Russian Federation, which significantly reduced the response time of Ukrainian air defense due to the proximity of launch positions. A similar tactic is used for 'Iskander' missiles and their analogs KN-23, launched from the Bryansk and Voronezh regions, complicating timely detection and neutralization.

Strikes on civilian areas occur after statements by the press secretary of the Russian dictator Peskov that negotiations between Russia and the USA regarding security guarantees should be held in private.

“Undoubtedly, this topic always figures in the agenda of conducted contacts... But we would not like to discuss this topic in public format now. We consider it unproductive for overall results,” said Peskov.

Thus, Russia seeks to create artificial tension between Ukraine, the USA, and European partners, insisting on a closed format for negotiations. The failure of Russia's attempts to create buffer zones in Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions forces it to resort to such attacks, attempting to compensate for losses in negotiations.

Strikes on civilian infrastructure are also aimed at the sensitivity of Western leaders, particularly Trump, to civilian casualties, which may influence diplomatic pressure on Ukraine.

Recall that after meeting with Putin on August 15 in Alaska, the US president claimed to have reached a fundamental agreement with the dictator on 'territorial exchange' between Ukraine and Russia and noted that Ukraine would refuse such an agreement.

Military-political analyst Dmytro Snehiryev, specially for FREEДOM

Constant attacks on civilian objects in Ukraine indicate an escalation of violence from Russia and an attempt to influence the morale of Ukrainians and international support. These actions, according to experts, may be part of the Kremlin's strategy to pressure Ukraine with the aim of deeply reconsidering international relations in the region. The situation on the battlefield and around it remains tense, while the international community continues to monitor developments.