On the night of May 31, Russia carried out a massive attack on the territory of Ukraine, using 229 drones of various types. Among them are strike drones “Shahed” (including jet modifications), as well as UAVs “Herbera”, “Italmas” and imitation drones called “Parody”.
This is reported by Finway
Scale of the attack and air defense operations
According to the information from the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian troops launched drones from various directions, including from the settlements of Orel, Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo, Shatalovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as from the temporarily occupied territory of Hvardijske in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Ukraine’s air defense managed to neutralize 212 out of 229 launched drones, most of which were destroyed or suppressed in the east and north of the country.
Consequences of the strikes and government response
As a result of the massive attack, preliminary data as of the morning of May 31 recorded hits from 14 enemy strike UAVs in 11 different locations across Ukraine. In addition, in five cases, debris from downed drones was recorded. The Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasize that Russian military regularly use various types of weapons, including strike drones, missiles, guided bombs, and multiple launch rocket systems to attack Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure in all regions of the country.
“Hits from 14 enemy strike UAVs were recorded at 11 locations, and in five more cases, debris from downed targets (wreckage) was noted.”
The Ukrainian authorities and international organizations consider such strikes to be war crimes of the Russian Federation. They emphasize that the attacks are targeted and aimed at destroying essential facilities for the population: energy and water supply systems, healthcare institutions, and other important infrastructure facilities. Such actions are regarded as manifestations of genocide, as they deprive the civilian population of the necessary conditions for life – electricity, heat, water, communication, and medical assistance.
At the same time, the leadership of Russia denies targeting civilian objects during the large-scale aggression, despite evidence of civilian casualties and the destruction of hospitals, schools, kindergartens, and critical infrastructure.