UK intelligence: Russia tried in vain to get Ukraine to waste valuable missiles to neutralise UAVs

In May 2023, the Russian military launched more than 300 strikes against Ukraine with Iranian Shahed series drones, the British Ministry of Defence said on June 5 in its latest intelligence report.

That, according to the briefing, has been the "most intensive" use of the weapon to date.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 05 June 2023.

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🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/E0RATcLPZ4

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) June 5, 2023

The idea of using these uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) seems to indicate an attempt to force Kyiv to use valuable stocks to neutralize them. However, according to the ministry, the attempt has been unsuccessful, as Ukraine has shot down at least 90% of the UAVs.

It is possible that Russia has been trying to locate and attack Ukrainian forces situated far from the front line. Yet Russia's targeting methods are "ineffective" due to "a poor targeting process," the report added.

Russia has also likely been attempting to locate and strike Ukrainian forces well behind the front line. However, Russia remains very ineffective at hitting such dynamic targets at range because of its poor targeting processes.