Russian forces have begun using a new tactic of striking Ukraine’s western regions with Shahed drones, an electronic warfare expert said.
This shift in strategy suggests an attempt by Russia to expand its strike campaign beyond previously targeted areas. By bringing western oblasts into the direct line of fire, the Kremlin may be seeking to stretch Ukrainian air defenses and disrupt logistics further from the front lines.
Serhiy Flesh Beskrestnov, an advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense and an expert on electronic warfare and communications, identified the change in approach following a daytime attack on May 13, 2024 [1]. Beskrestnov said that Russians have started using a new tactic of strikes across Ukraine and specifically noted that western regions are under attack.
The use of Shahed drones in these areas represents a tactical evolution in the ongoing conflict. These long-range unmanned aerial vehicles are often used to target infrastructure and military assets, and their appearance in the west indicates a wider operational reach.
Beskrestnov said the danger persists beyond the initial daytime wave. He said it is not excluded that Russians will continue to carry out strikes throughout the night following the May 13 events [1].
Ukrainian defense forces continue to monitor the airspace of the western oblasts to intercept these drones. The introduction of these tactics forces a redistribution of electronic warfare assets, and air defense systems to protect regions that were previously less exposed to such frequent drone incursions.
“Russians have started using a new tactic of strikes across Ukraine”
The expansion of Shahed drone strikes into western Ukraine indicates a strategic effort by Russia to increase the geographic scope of its aerial campaign. This forces Ukraine to decentralize its air defense resources, potentially leaving other areas more vulnerable while attempting to protect critical infrastructure in the west.
