In a significant escalation, Russian forces launched a massed missile and drone attack on Ukraine during the early hours of 28 November 2024, targeting critical infrastructure. Despite Ukrainian Air Defence successfully intercepting 90% of the incoming cruise missiles, 12 strikes were reported, primarily hitting facilities in the fuel and energy sectors.
Scale of the Attack
Ukraine’s Air Force revealed on social media that the primary targets of the assault were electrical substations located across multiple regions. Advanced weaponry, including Kalibr and Kh-101 cruise missiles, as well as guided aircraft missiles and drones, were used by Russian forces in the offensive.
Ukrainian air defence successfully intercepted:
- 90% of the Kalibr and Kh-101 cruise missiles,
- Three guided aircraft missiles,
- 35 drones.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service sappers discovered remnants of a Russian cruise missile in Kyiv.
However, 12 missiles reached their targets, causing significant damage to critical Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Evolving Tactics by Russian Forces
The Air Force detailed the sophisticated methods employed by Russian forces, aiming to outmanoeuvre Ukraine’s air defence systems. These included:
- Extensive use of modern missile and drone technology, designed to overwhelm Ukrainian defences.
- Deployment of thermal and radar decoys to evade interception.
- Utilisation of advanced electronic warfare (EW) measures directly integrated into the missiles.
These tactics have significantly hindered the effectiveness of Ukraine’s predominantly Soviet-era air defence systems. Although Western-supplied systems are more advanced, their limited numbers fall short of ensuring comprehensive protection for the country’s critical infrastructure.
Challenges for Ukrainian Defence
The Air Force noted that adverse weather conditions, including dense fog and heavy cloud cover, significantly hindered the effectiveness of mobile fire units and fighter aviation during the attack. These factors, combined with the sheer scale of the offensive, presented formidable challenges.
In response to such massed assaults, Ukraine employed a combination of resources, including aviation, electronic warfare units, air defence missile systems, and mobile fire groups. Nevertheless, the lack of sufficient modern systems continues to expose vulnerabilities in the country’s defensive network.
Call for Continued Support
In their statement, the Air Force expressed gratitude to those contributing to Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. They also appealed to citizens to adhere to safety recommendations during such attacks.
“We thank everyone who supports the Air Force in strengthening our air defences. We also urge citizens to follow safety guidelines,” the statement read.
Implications of the Attack
This latest assault underscores the escalating intensity of Russia’s campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The strikes are designed to undermine Ukraine’s resilience ahead of the winter months, mirroring last year’s targeted attacks on power facilities.
Ukraine’s reliance on Soviet-era systems and the limited supply of advanced Western defence equipment present significant challenges. The growing sophistication of Russian tactics further complicates efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for sustained international support to bolster Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.
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