Ukraine and Russia step up drone attacks — why the rush?

Russia has increased the intensity of its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities by about 44% in a week. This happened immediately after Donald Trump won the US presidential election.

These statistics are cited by ABC News.

How many drones attacked Ukraine and Russia

According to the TV channel's analysis, the size and sophistication of drone attacks from both Russia and Ukraine have been steadily increasing. Over the past five weeks, about 4,500 UAVs have crossed the common border in both directions.

But Trump's election victory is linked to an increase in Moscow's use of Iranian-made Shahed attack drones for attacks in Ukraine.

In the week after Trump's victory, Russia launched 641 attack drones into Ukraine, according to daily data from the Ukrainian Air Force — an average of more than 91 UAVs daily. The record of 145 drones was set on November 10.

Russia also frequently launches ballistic missiles in conjunction with its drones, although much less frequently. Ukraine's Air Force reported 88 missiles fired at the country between October 1 and November 5, and 12 missiles in the week after the election.

The level of attacks by Ukrainian drones has been stable since the beginning of October, according to real-time data published by the Russian Defense Ministry via its Telegram channels.

The growing number of Russian attacks comes as ground assaults intensify, with heavy fighting continuing in eastern Ukraine, in Russia's western Kursk region, parts of which Kyiv forces have seized since August, and Ukrainian commanders preparing for an offensive in southern Zaporizhzhia region.

The newspaper notes that both sides have a two-month window to maneuver before Trump returns to the White House, having promised during the campaign to end the war "in 24 hours" by forcing Kyiv and Moscow to the negotiating table.

To recap, Trump may appoint a special peace envoy for Ukraine to negotiate with Russia.

The Joe Biden administration will also increase support for Ukraine before Donald Trump's inauguration.