Ukraine strike Russia 7,000 times in 2024, CNN reports - but numbers don't tell full story

Ukraine strikes Russia 7,000 times in 2024, CNN reports – but numbers don’t tell full story

October 16, 2024

By Ukraine

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In 2024, Ukraine launched over 7,000 strikes on Russian territory, with the furthest reaching 1,700 km into Russia, according to CNN. These attacks targeted military sites and critical infrastructure using various weapons, including drones and artillery.

However, this figure needs context. President Zelenskyy reported that just last week, Russia launched 900 guided aerial bombs (KABs), 40+ missiles, and 400 drones against Ukraine. This translates to roughly 3,500 KABs, 160 missiles, and 1,600 drones monthly. Focusing on KABs alone, Russia can match Ukraine’s ten-month strike total in just two months, bombing Ukraine five times more heavily.

CNN gained exclusive access to Ukraine’s long-range drone unit, part of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR). Two members spoke on record: Serge, the long-range drone operations commander, and Vector, the unit commander. Serge claimed to have overseen over 500 long-range drone strikes into Russia since February 2022.

CNN was granted exclusive access to one of Ukraine’s long-range drone units, part of the GUR. Photo: CNN

The news team accompanied the unit as they prepared to launch 100+ drones on 29 September, targeting an ammunition facility near Kotluban in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast. Ukrainian intelligence shared footage showing 11 explosions within 56 minutes, coinciding with the expected drone arrivals. CNN independently verified a direct hit on the facility.

Despite these successes, Russian air defenses have thwarted many Ukrainian drone attacks. The GUR suggests their operations’ success rate could increase from 50% to 95% if the United States permitted Western weapons for strikes on Russian territory.

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