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Earlier this week, Russia carried out a massive new drone attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. According to reports by Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched 54 “kamikaze” drones on Ukrainian targets, 52 of which were shot down. It seems that since its full-scale invasion in February 2022 – Russia has stepped up its attacks on Kyiv, in an attempt to overwhelm the capital’s defenses.

According to the BBC, there have been accusations that Russia is targeting Kyiv deliberately as residents prepared to celebrate Kyiv Day – the anniversary of the city’s foundation more than 1,500 years ago.

In its recent attacks, Russia has been using so-called “kamikaze” drones, as well as various cruise and ballistic missiles. The frequency of Russia’s attacks has been increasing as Ukraine steps up its preparations for a counter-offensive.

As to the date of the counterattack, Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, said an assault to retake territory from President Vladimir Putin’s occupying forces could begin “tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week”. Ukraine has been planning its counter-offensive for months, and in the meantime, Russian forces have been preparing their defenses in the seized regions of south-eastern Ukraine. Drone attacks by both sides have been rising.

Russia seems to be trying not only to deplete Ukraine’s stock of air defense missiles but also to damage the launch systems themselves. In turn, Ukraine has been targeting key locations in parts of the country occupied by Russian forces, which include command and control sites, as well as logistical supply lines.

Ahead of Ukraine’s much-expected counter-offensive, the tempo of military exchanges between both sides appears to be rising.