ISW: Russian army uses new long-range drones against Ukraine

Russia is probably trying to expand and diversify its arsenal of drones, missiles and guided bombs.

ISW analysts link this to upcoming attempts to strike Ukrainian critical infrastructure ahead of the winter season, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The experts said increased use of Italmas drones is likely part of the wider munitions diversification effort.

On October 23, Russian media speculated that Russian forces used new long-range "Italmas" drones and Italmas variants for the first time in Ukraine during a drone attack on Kyiv Oblast. Russian sources noted that Italmas drones are lighter than Shaheds and are harder to detect and shoot down. 

Besides, Italmas drones are said to be cheaper than Shaheds, which means that they can be more widely manufactured and used, but that they deliver lighter payloads, which restricts their usefulness in isolation.

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in eastern and southern Ukraine on October 24 and advanced south of Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
• Russian authorities are intensifying mobilization efforts targeting Central Asian migrant communities in Russia.
• Russian forces conducted offensive operations near Avdiivka on October 24 and made confirmed advances northeast of Avdiivka.
• Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces maintain some positions in Krynky (30km east of Kherson City and 2km from the Dnipro River) and continued limited attacks on the east (left) bank of the Dnipro River.