Russia has shifted jet-powered Shahed attacks to daytime - Flash names the goal

Russia has deliberately shifted a significant portion of its Shahed jet-powered attacks to the daytime to intensify their impact on Kyiv's operations. Fast-moving drones are harder to intercept with mobile fire teams, while prolonged daytime air raids simultaneously disrupt transport, business, and city infrastructure.

This was stated by Serhiy Beskrestnov, advisor to the President of Ukraine on technological defense directions, known as Flash, in an interview with DOU.

According to his assessment, conventional Shahed drones were more advantageous for Russia to launch at night: during daylight, mobile fire teams see the relatively slow target significantly better and can engage it more effectively.

Jet-powered modifications have changed this situation. They fly faster and can move at higher altitudes, which greatly reduces the capabilities of mobile teams. Accordingly, the time of day has ceased to be such an important factor for the Russian side when planning attacks. 

Daytime alarms have a stronger impact on the city

Flash believes that the choice of daytime has another goal - to create maximum problems for the functioning of a major city. Air raid alarms during working hours affect the metro, railway connections, the operation of enterprises, shops, and other institutions.

According to him, the Russian side also monitors Ukrainians' reactions on social media and assesses the effect of attacks on transport and daily life. If the chosen tactic creates significant problems for the city, it will continue to be used. 

A series of such strikes on Kyiv and its region has been observed for several weeks now. In particular, on August 18, Russia launched 76 jet-powered Shahed drones at Ukraine throughout the day, with the main direction of attack being Kyiv Oblast.

On August 28, during another daytime attack, Russia used 96 strike drones, over 70 of which were jet-powered. Again, Kyiv was the main direction. Thus, daytime attacks by high-speed UAVs have already become systematic.

Jet drones have to be shot down with more expensive means

While specialized jet-powered interceptor drones are undergoing final testing, Ukraine employs traditional air defense assets, anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, and combat aviation against these targets.

Flash estimates the current effectiveness of countering jet-powered Shaheds at more than 80%. At the same time, this is his assessment, not the official figure of the Air Force.

In his opinion, reducing the effect of the new Russian tactics can be achieved after scaling up specialized high-speed interceptors capable of destroying jet-powered drones before they approach the capital.