Kiev lived on Wednesday night and Thursday morning one of the most violent days since the beginning of the russian invasion. A combination of drones and missiles hit different parts of the Ukrainian capital during the night and early morning, leaving at least 23 dead and dozens injured, according to local authorities. Various international media described the offensive as one of the most severe attacks suffered by the city since 2022.

The magnitude of the tragedy led the mayor of kyiv, Vitali Klitschkoto declare Friday as a day of mourning “in memory of the victims of the enemy’s most massive attack against the capital.” The authority described the offensive as “a real nightmare” for city dwellers

He international analyst Roberto Heimovits considers that the offensive has a component of retaliation and internal consumption. “This bombing of kyiv can be interpreted, at least partially, as an attempt to retaliate for those blows and as a way to reinforce internal morale in Russia”he explained.

Heimovits noted that at the beginning of this year, it appeared that Russia’s attrition strategy was gradually moving toward its goals. However, he maintained that Ukraine has achieved “a significant technological change” in recent weeks with drones capable of reaching Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other areas far from the front, affecting strategic infrastructure and the perception of security within Russia.

In his opinion, the attack does not necessarily imply a change in strategy on the part of the Kremlin. “It does not seem that President Vladimir Putin has renounced his initial objective: to consolidate control over the Donbas and turn Ukraine into a state subordinate to Russia”he stated.

One of the elements most highlighted by specialists is the growing importance of drones on both sides. Heimovits believes that this technological competition could end up altering the course of the war.

“If Ukraine maintains that advantage and continues to cause significant damage inside Russia, then the possibility of Putin seriously considering a negotiated solution could arise, for the first time in more than four years of war.”held.

According to the analyst, the Russian strategy had sought to keep the conflict away from the big cities and the Russian middle class. Ukrainian attacks on military bases, refineries and energy infrastructure located hundreds of kilometers from the front could raise the political and economic cost for Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the United States for a license to produce PATRIOT air defenses, which have the capacity to intercept ballistic missiles. (Photo: AFP)

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From a military perspective, international security expert Román Ortiz He explained that the main difference in this attack was the volume of resources used by Russia.

“On this occasion, many more means have been used to saturate the Ukrainian air defenses”he indicated.

Ortiz recalled that Ukraine has developed an important capacity to intercept drones, even with its own production systems, but continues to have limitations against intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

“When Russia combines large numbers of ballistic missiles with drones, it manages to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses and cause greater numbers of casualties.”he stated.

The specialist added that kyiv is trying to develop a system equivalent to the American Patriot, although that process still takes time. Meanwhile, Russia would be taking advantage of a “window of opportunity” to launch attacks with ballistic missiles, aware that Ukraine still does not have sufficient means to intercept them effectively.