**Russia’s Drone War Escalates: Ukraine Sees Record Number of Attacks**
In the past week, Russia has unleashed a staggering number of drones on Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky announcing that over 1800 long-range drones, 1200 glide bombs, and 83 missiles were launched on Ukrainian cities. This marks a record high for drone attacks during the full-scale war in Ukraine.
**Drones Overwhelm Ukrainian Air Defense**
The escalation of mass drone use by Russia aims to overwhelm Ukrainian air defense systems around key cities, particularly Kyiv. On July 9, Russian forces deployed a staggering 728 Shahed-type attack drones and decoys, as well as seven cruise missiles and six ballistic missiles. This surge in drone attacks is intended to intimidate the Ukrainian people and demoralize their military.
**President Zelensky Speaks Out**
In response to these unprecedented attacks, President Zelensky spoke out on social media, stating that “The Russians are intensifying terror against cities and communities to further intimidate our people.” He highlighted the good results of Ukrainian air defense in repelling the increased attacks, particularly those from interceptor drones. Zelensky credited the use of interceptor drones with downing hundreds of Russian Shahed drones this week.
**Ukrainian Authorities Warn of Further Escalation**
Despite these successes, Ukrainian authorities warn that Russia’s escalation of drone attacks could bring the number of daily drone launches to over 1000. This drastic increase in drone attacks would further strain Ukrainian air defense systems and put civilians at greater risk. President Zelensky has been in talks with Ukraine’s partners about scaling up interceptor production and technological potential, counting on strong decisions from the United States, Europe, and other partners.
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