Russia launched nearly 400 drones and 34 missiles on Ukraine on the night of Monday, March 23 to Tuesday, March 24. Just two years ago, these numbers would have been exceptional, but not anymore. This new massive raid once again demonstrates Russia’s production and replenishment capabilities. It also confirms that Moscow does not hesitate to strike civilian targets, contrary to what the Kremlin claims.
Five people were killed and around twenty were injured. Near Kharkiv, a strike on a train killed one passenger. There was also one fatality in the city of Zaporizhia, where infrastructure and residential areas were hit.
Ukraine also increasing drone production
At the same time, Ukraine launched new strikes in response, with 55 drones shot down last night, according to the Russian army, and nearly 250 intercepted on Monday. Moscow authorities are taking the opportunity to turn the accusations and denounce what they call “terrorist attacks by the Kiev regime.”
Ukraine has also apparently increased its drone production rates, although it remains less massive than what is observed on the Russian side. But its strikes are causing casualties on Russian territory, especially in border regions like Belgorod or Bryansk, where villages poorly defended by anti-aircraft batteries are sometimes hit.
Ukrainian drones also targeted the Primorsk oil terminal on Monday, not far from the Finnish border and St. Petersburg. The terminal is still on fire, with significant damage, but it is difficult to obtain precise information, as is often the case in Russia.
Intensifying combat on the front line
On the ground and on the front line, combat is intensifying. The war of attrition, aimed at trying to exhaust the enemy, is more than ever on the agenda. As every year for the past 4 years, there is an expectation that the Russian army will launch a spring offensive, with the climate conditions becoming more favorable.
According to the Ukrainian military leadership, the Russian army, which had reportedly lost some ground in recent weeks according to several independent observations, has resumed assaults in recent days. Kiev claims, however, that the losses are heavy.
Recently, Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned 45,000 Russian soldiers killed or injured per month, which is more than Moscow can recruit. These high figures are impossible to verify, but Russian war correspondents confirm that Ukrainian drones have taken control of the battlefield and are limiting the action capacity of the Russian army.
In the coming weeks, especially in the Donbass, the Kremlin’s top priority, we will see if Russian troops are once again capable of gaining ground as they did last year.
