Russia Intensifies Jet-Powered Drone Attacks On Ukraine

According to the BBC, Russia fired its new rapid, jet-powered drones at Ukraine every day throughout August, according to analysis of Ukrainian Air Force data, marking the first time daily attacks by the upgraded Geran drones were recorded. Ukraine's military said jet-powered drone attacks rose from 350 in June to 1,600 in July and 2,800 in August, while President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned what he called an unfolding "horror" over Kyiv. The report said the drones can travel at more than 300mph and are harder for Ukraine to intercept than older models. Dr Marina Miron of King's College London said Russia is using them because their higher speed makes interception more difficult, while Ukrainian military intelligence said some of the turbojet engines are sourced from China. Zelensky said the drones were part of a wave of attacks that killed at least 12 people and injured 20 more on 1 September, including six railway workers after a depot was hit in Kyiv. Officials in Kyiv told reporters that four Ukrainian companies have started testing missiles designed to shoot down the new Geran models, and new defense minister Yevhenii Khmara has asked them to produce "thousands of units" as quickly as possible. The BBC also reported that satellite images appear to show Russia redesigning facilities in the Oryol region to host jet-powered drones, with a new base at Tsymbulova around 109 miles (175 km) from the Ukrainian border.