What could be behind the intensified attacks? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Russian aerial assault on Kiev
• Shahed drones and ballistic missiles
• Ukrainian air defenses and interceptor missiles
• US military aid to Ukraine
• NATO defense spending and commitment to Ukraine
• Transatlantic alliance and European security

Russian Aerial Assault on Kiev

• Main Points:
  • Kiev was pounded overnight by the largest aerial assault of Russia's more than three-year war.
  • Hundreds of drones and missiles rained down on the city.
  • At least one person was killed.
  • The Solomysky district was one of the targets.
  • Residents are terrified of the waves of drone and missile attacks.
  • Ukraine's air force said Russia launched over 550 drones and missiles during the night.
  • The attacks damaged apartment buildings and other civilian infrastructure.
  • Residents say their options to stay safe are limited to seeking shelter underground or hoping for good luck.
• Examples:
  • A building in the Solomysky district was hit.
  • A shahad drone hit a building, but luckily nobody got seriously injured.
• Quotes:
  • Resident: "The basement shook. We all stood there just praying. Even the children were praying. Do you see what is being done? Is there a NATO military object here that they are so afraid of? There's nothing here. We're ordinary civilians, elderly people, and children."
  • Resident: "when you live in third year in the Ukraine where war and every day it's can be drone attack rocket attack ballistic it's uh like lottery you can win you can leave or not"

US-Ukraine Discussions and Military Aid

• Main Points:
  • The US and Ukrainian presidents had telephone discussions.
  • The presidential office called the call "very meaningful" and President Silinski himself wrote that it was "fruitful and very important."
  • The presidents discussed the intensifying Russian air attacks and the possibilities of more air defense weapons for Ukraine.
  • They also discussed the possibility of possible joint projects in this regard.
  • This is especially important for Ukraine since it comes just a few days after the news that the US wants to stop some of the shipments.
• Arguments:
  • The call seems to have been much more productive than yesterday's call between President Trump and President Putin, which President Trump afterwards called very disappointing.

Psychological Impact and Air Defense Capabilities

• Main Points:
  • The intensified air attacks of the past weeks have had a very strong psychological effect on residents in Kiev.
  • Last night's attack was one of the most massive ones since the beginning of the war, especially when it comes to the number of drones employed.
  • It was also one of the longest attacks seen so far.
  • Ukraine could intercept a lot of the Shahed drones but none of the ballistic missiles that were launched by Russia.

Analysis of Russian Strategy and Ukrainian Defenses

• Main Points:
  • The increase in attacks could be a response to a Ukrainian drone attack on a military plant in [ __ ].
  • Increasing numbers of drones and missiles are getting through Ukrainian air defenses.
  • Ukraine is running out of interceptor missiles.
  • The Russians have ramped up their production, especially of Shahed type drones, and they're using a lot of decoys.
  • There is a new version of these Shahid drones, and they could be using up the old stock in conjunction to ensure that the ballistic missiles get through.
• Technical Terms:
  • Shahed drones: Relatively cheap drones used by Russia.
  • Interceptor missiles (e.g., PAC-3 for Patriot): Expensive missiles used to intercept incoming threats.
  • Decoys: Drones or other objects designed to confuse or overload air defense systems.
  • Layered air defenses: A system of multiple types of defenses designed to intercept threats at different ranges and altitudes.
• Data/Statistics:
  • A PAC-3 interceptor missile for Patriot costs around $4 million US.
  • A Shahed drone costs maybe 30-40,000 US (estimate).
• Arguments:
  • It's very expensive for Ukraine to use interceptor missiles against relatively cheap drones.
  • Even if Ukraine had enough interceptor missiles, it would still need to have layered air defenses.

US Support and Global Supply Chains

• Main Points:
  • The US doesn't have much of the capacity when it comes to producing interceptor missiles.
  • The US is still tied to the global supply chain, which is not very reliable.
  • President Trump may allow Ukraine to buy Patriot systems whatever it has in stock.
  • The US will most likely want to resupply Israel, which used up most of its stock when it comes to interceptor missiles.
  • There is a possibility of supporting Ukraine when it comes to producing such interceptors domestically.
  • Different companies produce different components of Patriot systems including missiles.
• Companies:
  • RTX (formerly Raytheon): A company that produces components of Patriot systems.
• Arguments:
  • There is a problem where you need to set priorities who gets what first when it comes to supplying interceptor missiles.

European Security and NATO Commitment

• Main Points:
  • There are no positive signals from the United States regarding support for Ukraine.
  • If you are just a bystander and you do not interfere or if you do not try to assist the victim, you are also corresponsible.
  • Ukraine is holding the ground also for those values and security what is dear to us.
  • If this war is ending with defeat for Ukraine or it is giving a grounds to think that allies are not fully involved in support then of course it gives additional reasons for Putin to behave more aggressively against Europeans.
  • It is questioning the transatlantic alliance no matter what politicians speak.
  • Europeans must step up this support not only with words but with practicalities.
  • Ukrainian defense is important for our own security.
  • Europeans are not yet fully ready to embrace any kind of aggressive activities from the Russian side, either hybrid or a full-fledged.
  • Europeans must step up our security and defense again, not just by words, but by action.
• Arguments:
  • Silence from the western side and from Washington encourages Putin more and more.
  • If transatlantic alliance or our allies in US are hesitant to support Ukraine then Europeans must step up this support.
• NATO Defense Spending:
  • There was a NATO summit that concluded in June where there was an attempt to have everybody sign on to an increase in defense spending.
  • Certain holdouts and certain exceptions were granted.
  • Spain will not be able to meet that 3.5% spending of GDP increase.
• Arguments:
  • If NATO can't get its act together, how can Europe be secured against Russia?
  • Securing 3 or 5% of defense is one thing, but what nation states do at home is another.
  • It is important how Germany is supporting their own military publicly and also with capabilities with real capabilities.
  • Money is there, we are rich countries.
  • European common GDP in the world is about 17% while Russian is maybe two and a half.
  • How could it be that we do not have enough of finances and capabilities to stop the barbarian perpetrator and criminal?

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video highlights the escalating Russian aerial attacks on Kiev, the strain on Ukrainian air defenses, and the critical need for continued and increased support from the US and Europe. The discussion emphasizes the psychological impact on Ukrainian civilians, the economic challenges of defending against drone warfare, and the broader implications for European security and the transatlantic alliance. The speakers stress the importance of practical action and commitment from both NATO and individual European nations to bolster their own defenses and provide meaningful assistance to Ukraine.