On March 11, Ukraine launched its biggest drone strike in various regions including Moscow, killing three employees of a meat warehouse and injuring 17, causing a shutdown at Russia’s four capital airports.
The drones that would soon follow targeted key military and infrastructure sites. Russian authorities reported that their air defenses intercepted 337 Ukrainian drones overnight during the start of the attack, with 91 drones around Moscow.
According to Ukrainian military sources, the drone strikes aimed to disrupt Russian supply lines and cripple key logistical hubs, claiming that the operation successfully hit multiple targets including fuel depots and military command centers. Social media footage and satellite images also seem to prove explosions at these locations.
On the other hand Russia’s Ministry of Defense denied the success of Ukraine’s attack, stating that most drones were intercepted by air defenses and minimal damage occurred.
Western military aid has helped slow Russian forces, allowing Kyiv to turn to long-range drone warfare as a means of countering Moscow’s superior firepower. This is a clear shift from what Ukraine has done for the past three years.
Ukraine has been increasing its use of drone technology for months now, launching attacks on oil refineries, military bases and Moscow. This way, Ukraine is able to inflict economic and military damage. Additionally, these strikes also send a psychological message to the Russian government, proving that Ukraine can strike back despite its disadvantages.
Although the United States and NATO allies are supportive of Ukraine, they have also urged for caution. They fear that such attacks may provoke an even stronger Russian retaliation which would escalate the tensions even more.
Military analysts predict an increase in missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure as Moscow seeks to deter future attacks. Just moments after the attack, Russia has intensified its bombardment of Ukraine’s energy grid but as of March 19, the attacks on energy grids have come to a pause.
The drone attacks signal a new phase in the war as Ukraine, despite its challenges, refuses to stay on defense and is putting effort into offensive measures. As the conflict drags on, a new question arises as to if these strikes will escalate the war further or force new diplomatic negotiations.
As of March 19, the latest drone strikes came down on a hospital in the northeastern city of Sumy, just hours after Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure as part of the White House’s peace efforts.
“Now in many regions you can literally hear what Russia really needs,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. “About 40 Shaheds in our sky, air defense is working,” the president added, referring to the Iranian-designed strike drone used by Russia.
“Today, Putin actually rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire,” Zelenskyy said. “It would be right for the world to reject any attempts by Putin to drag out the war in response…Unfortunately, there are hits, and precisely in civilian infrastructure,” Zelenskyy adds. “…we must continue to put pressure on Russia for the sake of peace.”
As the event unfolds, we will soon see what will come of the negotiations and the claims of a ceasefire.
