Russia’s drone strike on Kharkiv prompted a tit for tat response from Ukraine, highlighting a pattern in which both sides favor low-risk drone attacks over infantry assaults.
Overnight, on June 11, the Russian military launched a concentrated drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. The attack lasted for nine minutes and resulted in three known deaths plus 64 injuries. Nine children were injured in the attack. The strikes were mostly concentrated in residential districts, resulting in fires to 15 units of a five-story apartment building. In addition, various public and commercial infrastructures were damaged.
The overnight attack is consistent with Russia’s newly emerging pattern of intensified drone warfare, which has become increasingly dependent on high-altitude loitering munitions capable of evading Ukrainian air defenses.
Russia’s Drone Attack on Kharkiv
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia launched 85 drones overnight,40 of which Ukraine successfully intercepted. Moscow denied the charges that it targeted civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the strikes and called for increasing international pressure on Russia to cease its attacks.
In response to Russia’s intensified drone campaign, Ukraine is working to significantly enhance its air defense capabilities by positioning advanced air defense systems in civilian areas. Notably, Kyiv is relying upon US-supplied Patriot and NASAMS systems. Such systems have served Ukraine well by successfully intercepting high-velocity Russian missiles and drones. In addition, Ukraine has found success with the MIM-23 Hawk missiles, which have been used to successfully down multiple Russian cruise missiles and drones.
Ukraine’s electronic warfare capabilities have also been effective in mitigating Russian attacks. Jamming and interference efforts have neutralized Russian drones and missiles, causing some to lose control and crash before striking their intended targets.
Additionally, Ukraine is working to give its citizenry advanced warning. The Ukrainian National Emergency Service Center coordinates a network of sirens, mobile applications, and social media notifications to issue warnings. Most notably, the “Air Alert” app has been downloaded over 15 million times and has been credited with reducing civilian casualties by up to 45 percent. Another app, the “Alarm Map,” offers real-time updates on air raids, which allows residents to take timely protective actions./
Ukraine Strikes Back
Ukraine responded to the June 11 drone attack with an attack of its own, targeting Russian territory. Kyiv targeted a gunpowder plant in Kotovsk, Tambov Oblast, located approximately 550 km northeast of Kharkiv. The plant is known to be a major supplier of explosives to the Russian military. The attack caused several explosions and prompted a large fire. Russia has maintained that the strike resulted in no casualties, but Ukraine is claiming that the plant was forced to shut down on account of the damage inflicted.
Ukraine also attacked a factory in Shebekino, Belgorod Oblast. The attack resulted in six injuries, with no reported deaths.
Ukraine’s retaliatory attacks are consistent with Kyiv’s broader strategy of launching drone strikes within Russia’s territory, for the sake of disrupting Russian military infrastructure and supply lines. The use of drone strikes by both Russia and Ukraine lowers the cost threshold of attacks by keeping soldiers out of harm’s way. As long as the military-industrial bases of both countries keep up with the demand for drones, drone strikes are expected to continue.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
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