ISW analysts explained the actions of the Russians to break through the Ukrainian air defense.

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War reported that the Russian army is strengthening its drone and missile capabilities to break through the Ukrainian air defense. They are using strike complexes and Shahed drones to launch attacks from 11 PM to the morning. This information was confirmed by Deputy Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Major General Vadym Skibytskyi.

According to analysts, in October and November 2024, Russian troops began launching large packages of strikes using 80-100 or more Shahed drones and decoy drones. By February 2025, the number of drones increased to 100-200 or more. Predictions suggest that this helps the enemy to destroy the Ukrainian air defense and mobile fire groups.

However, it remains unknown whether Russia will provide a sufficient number of components for the production of drones in the future.

Drones attacked Odesa and Sumy

On the evening of March 3, the Russian army launched a drone strike on Odesa, resulting in damage to residential buildings and injuring four people. Also, on the night of March 4, Russian troops struck the city of Sumy, attacking one of the clinics.

It is worth emphasizing that on the night of March 3, 83 strikes were recorded by mini-drones of the Shahed type and decoy drones in Orly, Kursk, Millierovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in the Russian Federation.

It should be reminded that the war in Ukraine has been ongoing for 1,105 days. Russian invaders have carried out 45 airstrikes using 73 guided aviation bombs. In addition, Russian troops have used 950 kamikaze drones and conducted 4,139 shellings of our troops' positions and settlements.

Over the past day, 91 combat clashes have been recorded. Ukrainian defenders are successfully repelling attacks and inflicting significant losses on the enemy across the entire front line.