Ukraine’s largest strike on Russia
Sunday, Ukraine launched 800+ drones into Russia. 6 killed in Kirov region. Russia claims it shot down 822. Moscow mayor said 600 were headed to the capital. Russia retaliated by hitting Ukraine’s largest steel plant.
This is the largest drone strike of the war. Drones are cheap, swarming, and can hit 1000 km inside enemy territory. They have made "deep strike" possible without air force.
Analytically, this is attrition + signaling. Ukraine is showing it can hit Russian industry and force. Russia to spend billions on air defense. Russia is hitting economic targets to break Ukrainian morale.
Both sides are escalating while talking peace. The risk: civilian infrastructure becomes the main target. Power plants, ports, factories.
For India, the lesson is clear. Drone defense is now core to national security. Borders don’t matter when a $500 drone can hit a refinery. We need: layered air defense, anti-drone guns, and domestic drone manufacturing.
Wars are no longer fought only at the LOC. They are fought over cities.