Russia Launches Dozens of Drones into Ukraine

Facts

  • Russia launched 36 overnight drone attacks at southern Ukraine from Crimea, the Ukrainian military reported Tuesday.1
  • The Iranian-made drones reportedly targeted the Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions, though authorities claimed that air defense systems had destroyed 27 drones.2
  • The attack on Odesa, which lasted for three hours, allegedly damaged transport infrastructure, though no casualties were reported.3
  • Meanwhile, four people were injured and several buildings were damaged after Moscow used mortars, artillery, and drones to attack Kherson.4
  • Russia has increased the frequency of aerial attacks on ports in southern Ukraine following its exit from the Black Sea grain deal in July.4
  • In September, Moscow reportedly launched more than 500 Iranian-made drones. In contrast, nearly 1K such drones were used over six months last winter to target Ukraine's energy facilities.5

Sources: 1Ukrinform, 2Reuters (a), 3The kyiv independent, 4Al Jazeera and 5Reuters (b).

Narratives

  • Pro-Ukraine, as provided by Independent. Despite Russia's best attempts to knock Ukraine out, Kyiv continues to repel Moscow's efforts and protect against attacks through the air and on the front lines. Ukrainian defense systems destroy most enemy drones, while Kyiv's forces continue to prepare for Russia's winter onslaught. Ukraine is still, slowly but surely, dealing heavy blows to Russia.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by RT. Russia's military and technological prowess is far too advanced and powerful for Ukraine to withstand. Russia's drones can strike at a far greater magnitude and distance than anything Ukraine has. Russia has worked to limit the damage from its military operations and protect civilian lives, but if this war were strictly about military power, Russia would've ended it long ago.

Predictions