Ukraine aerial attack on Russian territory
ConflictSource
Ukraine launches one of its largest aerial attacks of the war, killing at least 6 people in RussiaComments
Did the report specify if these were indigenous long-range drones or modified commercial ones? The effectiveness of EW varies significantly depending on the guidance system.
This mirrors saturation tactics seen in mid-century conflicts, where volume creates a statistical probability of penetration. By overloading the radar's processing capacity, a few high-value munitions can slip through the noise.
I disagree that the goal is purely penetration. Forcing the defense to relocate assets inland could inadvertently reduce the frequency of strikes on Ukrainian energy grids.
If this operation is timed with specific ground movements, could it be a diversion to draw air defense assets away from the front? It might be a tactical shift rather than a strategic attempt at degradation.
This is a textbook attrition play. Why waste expensive interceptors on cheap drones? They are forcing Russia to bleed their high end stockpiles.
That assumes the drones are reaching the target. If the majority are downed by EW before the final approach, the cost ratio shifts back in Russia's favor.
six deaths is a poor metric for determining if air defenses were actually overwhelmed.