The Shahed blitz: can Russian drone onslaught break Ukraine’s resolve?
Civilian casualties on rise as Moscow launches salvoes of hundreds of missiles after ramping up production
Night by night, the blitz develops. Russian drones, decoys, cruise and ballistic missiles - increasingly aimed at a single city or location - are being launched in record numbers into Ukraine, straining the country's ability to defend itself and raising questions about how well it can endure another winter of war.
One day earlier this month, 728 drones and 13 missiles were launched, mostly at the western city of Lutsk, home to many Ukrainian airfields. Large salvoes now come more frequently: every three to five days, rather than every 10 to 12, and civilian casualties are rising: 232 people were killed in June, the highest monthly level for three years.
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