Cities across Ukraine's Zhytomyr region have found themselves in a zone of potential danger following Russia's use of new jet-powered "Shahed"-type drones capable of real-time online control. The warning came from Serhii Bezkrestnov ("Flash"), an adviser to Ukraine's president, who published a map of the areas that could become targets of such attacks.
According to him, the new type of drone lets the enemy select and hit targets far more effectively — even while those targets are on the move.
Cities of the Zhytomyr region enter the red zone
As Bezkrestnov noted, the areas marked in red on the map are at heightened risk.
"Everything marked as a red zone falls within the potential strike range of online-controlled Shaheds. In this zone, a Shahed can attack both moving targets and stationary objects," the presidential adviser stressed.
He explained that the control range of these drones is for now limited by technology, but that even this is enough to pose a serious threat to Ukraine's border and central regions.
The Zhytomyr region has already felt the new tactic
The warning comes against the backdrop of a series of attacks on the Zhytomyr region.
On 22 July alone, a Russian strike drone hit a fuel station in Zhytomyr, setting off a major fire and causing destruction. The day before, another enemy attack burned up wheat crops — once again confirming that the enemy is deliberately targeting not only military sites but civilian infrastructure and the farming sector as well.
Earlier still, the town of Malyn had also come under Russian fire. In one attack two fuel stations were hit, and the shelling killed a person — among the most tragic events for the community in recent times.
Business owners urged to prepare
Bezkrestnov appealed to owners of businesses, warehouses, fuel stations and other critical-infrastructure facilities to factor in the new risks.
They must not ignore air-raid warnings, he said, and should set up shelters for their staff and review their safety measures.
The new jet-powered Shaheds with online control can rapidly change their flight path and strike both stationary and moving targets. That is precisely why, the presidential adviser stressed, communities that have fallen within the red zone must be as prepared as possible for potential air attacks.
