Russia Launches Massive Shahed Drone Attack on Ukraine, Targets Zakarpattia
On May 13, Russia launched a massive Shahed drone attack on Ukraine, targeting western regions like Zakarpattia. Expert Oleksandr Musiienko suggests Russia is using Belarus for coordination and accumulated drones during a recent ceasefire. The attacks aim to overwhelm air defenses and terrorize civilians.
On May 13, Russian forces launched a massive Shahed drone attack across Ukraine, potentially exceeding 1,000 drones. A notable aspect was the targeting of Zakarpattia Oblast and Uzhhorod, Ukraine’s westernmost region, which military expert Oleksandr Musiienko suggests may be linked to prior agreements between Russia and former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, preventing earlier strikes.
Musiienko indicates Russia is now more actively using Belarusian territory to coordinate drone attacks on western Ukraine, likely deploying antennas and relay systems there for direct drone guidance. He noted many drones approached from the northwest, near the Belarusian border.
During a “three-day ceasefire” from May 9–11, which Russia violated, Moscow reportedly reduced Shahed drone use to accumulate reserves. Musiienko believes this allowed Russia to launch a larger attack now. He also stated that daylight attacks aim to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defense and create psychological terror, intimidating civilians and spreading panic.