Ukraine reinforces Sloviansk and warns of Russian cutter drones
Ukraine has reinforced the defense of Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast amid Russia's attempts to advance in the 'fortress belt.' At the same time, Kyiv reported new Russian drones capable of cutting the metal of power line towers. Four years of war have exposed the limits of Russian military power, but the Kremlin is adapting.
Sources
· 7Украина укрепляет Донецк на фоне наступления России на Славянск
1Украина заявила о российских дронах для резки металла электросетей
2Четыре года войны в Украине выявили пределы российской военной мощи
3Украина расширяет глубокие удары дронами по России, поражая военные цели
4Россия стремится перенести производство вооружений в Казахстан и Узбекистан
5Удары дронов по российским НПЗ вынуждают Кыргызстан и Таджикистан диверсифицировать поставки топлива
6Спутниковые снимки указывают, что Россия сняла ПВО в Арктике, сообщает RFE/RL
7Key points
- Ukraine reinforced two units defending Sloviansk by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapatyi, dated August 26.
- Ukrainian military intelligence said Russia has developed drones with an explosive element capable of cutting metal and bringing down power line towers.
- The United Kingdom and France agreed to transfer Storm Shadow cruise missile technology to Kyiv.
- Both sides are increasingly striking civilian infrastructure, and damage to power lines will take several days to repair.
What happened
Deputy Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine Vadym Skibitskyi said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine that Russia has developed winged drones containing an explosive element capable of cutting metal. The statement came as both sides are increasingly striking civilian infrastructure.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is now in its fifth year and has disproved the Kremlin's assumption that massed troops and Soviet stockpiles would ensure a quick victory. Ukraine has inflicted serious damage on Russia's conventional armed forces, while the Kremlin is adapting and ramping up weapons production. Russia's Northern and Pacific Fleets, strategic nuclear forces, and cyber and space capabilities remain largely untouched.
Why it matters
Damage from the new drones could cause power outages in front-line regions and will take several days to repair. The transfer of Storm Shadow technology changes Ukrainian air defense strategy toward destroying the means of producing and launching Russian missiles. Ukraine has inflicted serious damage on Russia's conventional armed forces; meanwhile Russia's fleets, strategic nuclear forces, and cyber and space capabilities are largely untouched.
What changed
Earlier, FP-2 drone operators reported that Ukrainian medium-range drones were striking targets up to 700 kilometers inside Russia. Now Ukrainian intelligence is reporting Russian winged drones containing an explosive element for cutting metal.
Who's affected
Front-line regions could face power outages due to damage to power lines by the new drones. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are already diversifying fuel supplies after Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Earlier
- Satellite imagery indicated that Russia had removed air-defense batteries from several Arctic facilities, including a naval base on the Kola Peninsula.
- Russia sought to establish assembly lines and repair facilities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, placing them beyond the reach of Ukrainian drones.
- Drone strikes on Russian oil refineries forced Moscow to limit fuel exports; in July Tajikistan tripled fuel purchases from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, while supplies from Russia halved.
What's Next
This coming winter Russia may use drones with an explosive element to bring down power line towers, Ukrainian military intelligence said.
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