How Ukraine broke through Russia’s air defenses

Key Points:

• Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow since the war began, overwhelming Russian air defenses and causing chaotic scenes in the city, including a misfired Russian missile hitting an oil storage tank.
• Experts highlight that Russia's air defense systems, designed for conventional aircraft and missiles, are ill-equipped to counter mass drone assaults, a vulnerability Ukraine has exploited through continuous improvements and diversified attack strategies.
• The Russian military's response appeared disorganized and improvised, with soldiers firing portable air-defense weapons near civilian traffic, reflecting the strain on Russia’s air defense capabilities and coordination.
• Ukraine has targeted Russian air-defense systems and radar installations for years, significantly degrading Russia’s ability to defend against drone attacks and forcing a spread of Russian defenses over a wider area.
• Despite Russia claiming to have shot down many drones, the sheer volume of Ukrainian attacks and the difficulty of tracking small drones suggest some attacks penetrate defenses, raising concerns about Russian missile stockpile depletion amid sustained Ukrainian pressure.