“sources in the Ministry of Defense also said that our (Russian) rocket men began to beat the enemy better [ https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/4342 “
It does seem that Russia was more successful penetrating Ukrainian Air Defenses in this attack (8 July).
Something to analyze.
I believe that this was the first of two big waves on 8July 2024.
Kyiv Independent reports:
“Ukrainian forces downed 30 of the 38 Russian missiles launched during a large-scale attack against multiple cities on the morning of July 8, the Air Force said.
In total, Russian forces launched one Kinzhal ballistic missile, four Iskander-M ballistic missiles, one 3M22 Zirkon hypersonic cruise missile, 13 Kh-101 cruise missiles, 14 Kalibr cruise missiles, two Kh-22 cruise missiles, and three Kh-59/69 guided aerial missiles, according to the statement.
Ukrainian defenses reportedly shot down the Kinzhal missile, three Iskanders, 11 Kh-101s, 12 Kalibrs, and three Kh-59/69s.
Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, and other cities across Ukraine were hit, with at least 28 civilians killed and 112 injured as of 3 p.m. local time.
The strike took place on the eve of the NATO summit in Washington, where Ukraine hopes to receive long-term aid commitments from the allies. (Also as Indian PM Modi visited Moscow for the first time of the war)
The July 8 attack has been the deadliest in months, with the casualty figures comparable to massive strikes carried out by Russia during the winter.”
Russia has improved its missiles. Seems like a lot got through Air Defenses on 8 July.
Kyiv Independent reports:
“Russian forces have improved their ballistic and cruise missiles, making them more difficult to detect and shoot down, Yurii Ihnat, former Air Force spokesman, wrote on Facebook on July 8.
Russia launched a mass missile attack on Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine on the morning of July 8, killing at least 36 civilians and injuring 149 others.
The aerial attack targeted Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Sloviansk, Pokrovsk, and Kramatorsk, damaging “50 civilian sites, including residential buildings, a business center, and two medical facilities,” the State Emergency Service reported.
The Russian military additionally equipped its missiles with radars and heat traps, according to Ihnat.
The cruise missiles traveled at extremely low altitudes during the recent attacks. Some of the aerial targets were shot down at an altitude of 50 meters, which “could also lead to terrible consequences on the ground,” Ihnat said.
Russia launched 44 missiles of various types at Ukrainian cities over the past day, he added.
The Air Force earlier reported that Ukrainian forces downed 30 out of the 38 missiles launched on Ukraine in the morning of July 8.
“People on the ground sometimes push the limits of available weapons and equipment to shoot down as many Russian missiles and drones as possible,” Ihnat said”