A widespread air bombardment by Russia has left at least three people dead and many more injured in Ukraine. The attacks, which targeted 10 regions of Ukraine, including several cities, involved over 340 explosive and dummy drones and 35 cruise and ballistic missiles. Despite Ukraine’s military shooting down 90% of these, more than 30 got through, causing significant damage.
In the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, two people were killed, while a woman died of her injuries after being rescued from a burning apartment in Odesa. The city’s residential areas were hit, causing fires on upper floors of buildings, with rescuers saving five people from burning apartments. Sergiy Lysak, the regional governor, described the attack on Pavlohrad as a “hellish night and morning,” with targets including industrial sites, a fire department, a clinic, a school, and a cultural institution.
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of bolstering air defenses, both in terms of supplies from allies and producing them in Ukraine, including more interceptor drones. Ukraine’s military is also leveraging innovative tactics, such as a drone scheme dubbed “Army of Drones: Bonus” or “e-points,” which allows units to earn points for each Russian soldier killed or piece of equipment destroyed. These points can be traded for critical military resources, equipment, or support.
The use of drones in the Ukraine-Russia conflict has become a game-changer, with both sides employing these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeted attacks. Ukrainian forces have used drones to disrupt Russian maritime operations and cause significant damage to the enemy fleet. The “e-points” scheme is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to harness the power of drones and digital innovation to gain a tactical edge.
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, explains that the scheme is designed to collect reliable battlefield data, apply military analytics, and optimize resource allocation. “It’s about collecting reliable battlefield data, applying the principles of military analytics, and optimising the use of limited resources to achieve maximum tactical impact,” Fedorov said.
As the conflict rages on, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence. President Zelensky condemned Russia’s actions, accusing them of “trying to take as many lives as possible.” The international community remains watchful, with concerns growing over the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
In the midst of this chaos, Ukraine’s military remains steadfast, with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledging the increasing pressure but insisting on the country’s “steadfast” defense. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the war in Ukraine has entered a new era of technological warfare, with drones playing a pivotal role.