Russia receives new batch of Shahed attack drones from Iran, Humeniuk says
The Russian invaders attacked the south of Ukraine at night with Iranian Shahed drones (archive photo) (Photo:REUTERS / Roman Petushkov)
Russia has intensified drone attacks on Ukraine after receiving a new batch of Iranian-made Shahed suicide drones, Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Operational Command South, said on national television on April 20.
The previous pause in Russian attacks was due to Russia’s need to accumulate reserves and the wait for this new batch, she said.
"The occupiers have received a new batch of Iranian drones, as evidenced by the markings found on the downed drones,” she explained.
“These drones were used by Russians to attack Mykolaiv Oblast as we've seen. The same marking was on the drones that attacked Odesa Oblast.”
It’s now possible that Russia will once again step up attacks, she added, as threat of suicide drone attacks place psychological pressure on Ukrainian civilians, as well as allow Russia to conduct reconnaissance of Ukraine's air defense systems and crucial infrastructure facilities.
Overnight on April 19, Ukrainian air defenses shot down 21 out of 26 Shahed drones launched by Russia.
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