Chronology of Terrorist Attacks Across the Territory of Ukraine by Strike Drones in January 2025
Abstract
Purpose. Analytical reconstruction of the complete chronology of Ukraine’s terrorist attacks using strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in January 2025 based on open official sources, as well as the formation of a generalized picture of their intensity, spatiotemporal distribution, and targeting of various infrastructure elements.
Findings. Periods of highest drone-use intensity were identified, along with the main directions of attacks and types of objects affected. Temporal patterns in the timing of strikes were revealed, as well as typical scenarios of employing strike UAVs in terms of sequencing and combining attacks.
Theoretical implications. The research enhances scientific understanding of modern forms of terrorist influence involving strike UAVs and their role in escalating security threats. The proposed approach to the chronology and systematization of attacks provides a basis for further development of theoretical models for analyzing drone threats, spatiotemporal dynamics of attacks, and vulnerability assessments of critical infrastructure elements.
Practical implications. The obtained results can be used to improve the civil protection system and enhance the effectiveness of governmental responses to strike-UAV threats.
Originality/Value. The work offers an analytical foundation for further examination of the evolution of drone attacks and the development of strategic approaches to their mitigation.
Research limitations/Future research. Limitations arise from reliance on open official data, which may be incomplete, fragmented, or reported with delays, as well as from the absence of detailed technical and tactical characteristics of the UAVs used. Possible discrepancies in reporting among various agencies and regional structures may also affect chronological accuracy. Future research may focus on expanding the information base through the integration of geoinformation data, statistics from air-defense systems, analysis of the socioeconomic consequences of drone attacks, and the development of predictive models of attack intensity and directions.
Paper type. Review.
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References
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Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 18). Odnu z balistychnykh raket zbyly na malii vysoti – Povitriani syly pro naslidky udaru RF u Kyievi [One ballistic missile was shot down at low altitude—Air Force on the consequences of the Russian strike on Kyiv]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/18/7494187/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 19). Syly PPO zbyly 43 iz 61 bezpilotnyka [Air defense forces shot down 43 of 61 unmanned aerial vehicles]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/ 01/19/7494292/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 19). Na Kyivshchyni pratsiuvala PPO, ranishe ulamky BPLA poshkodyly budivliu ta avto [Air defense operated in the Kyiv region; earlier UAV debris damaged a building and vehicles]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/19/7494337/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 20). U Kyievi oholoshuvaly povitrianu tryvohu cherez raketnu nebezpeku [An air raid alert was declared in Kyiv due to a missile threat]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/20/7494371/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 20). U nich na 20 sichnia RF atakuvala balistykoiu ta dronamy: PPO zbyla 93 bezpilotnyky [On the night of January 20, Russia attacked with ballistic missiles and drones; air defense shot down 93 UAVs]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01 /20/7494388/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 20). U Kyievi ta nyztsi oblastei oholoshuvaly povitrianu tryvohu. Voroh zavdav udaru po Sumskyi oblasti [Air raid alerts were declared in Kyiv and several regions; the enemy struck the Sumy region]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/20/7494416/
ArmiiaInform. (2025, January 21). Syly PPO zbyly 72 udarni BPLA voroha, shche 59 droniv – ne dosiahly tsilei [Air defense forces shot down 72 enemy strike UAVs; another 59 drones did not reach targets]. https://armyinform.com.ua/2025/01/21/syly-ppo-zbyly-72-udarni-bpla-voroga-shhe-59-droniv-ne-dosyagly-czilej/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 21). Rosiia vnochi atakuvala balistykoiu ta 131 dronom – zhodnyi BPLA ne dosiah mety [Russia attacked overnight with ballistic missiles and 131 drones; no UAV reached its target]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/21/7494561/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 22). Rosiia atakuvala Mykolaiv simoma bezpilotnykamy: poshkodzheno zhytlovi budynky, ye postrazhdali [Russia attacked Mykolaiv with seven UAVs: residential buildings damaged and casualties reported]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/22/7494689/47
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 22). U nich proty 22 sichnia Rosiia atakuvala 99 bezpilotnykamy: PPO zbyla 65 droniv [On the night of January 22, Russia attacked with 99 UAVs; air defense shot down 65 drones]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/22/7494744/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 22). Ukraina pochervonila z zahrozy balistyky [Ukraine “turned red” due to the threat of ballistic missiles]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/22/ 7494813/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 23). RF atakuvala balistykoiu ta dronamy [The Russian Federation attacked with ballistic missiles and drones]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/archives/ date_23012025/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 23). Pislia ataky droniv stala pozhezha [A fire broke out after a drone attack]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/ 01/23/7494860/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 23). 23 sichnia PPO zbyla 57 droniv [On January 23, air defense shot down 57 drones]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/archives/date_23012025/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 24). Ataka 58 bezpilotnykamy: 25 droniv zbyto, 27 lokatsiino vtracheno [Attack with 58 UAVs: 25 drones shot down, 27 lost from radar]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/archives/date_24012025/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 24). Ruske atakuvaly dronamy [The settlement of Ruske was attacked by drones]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/24/7495143/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 25). Na Kyivshchyni zruinovano budynok ta pidpryiemstvo [A house and an enterprise were destroyed in the Kyiv region]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/ archives/date_25012025/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 25). PPO zbylo dvi aviatsiini rakety ta pil sotni droniv [Air defense shot down two air-launched missiles and about half a hundred drones]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/ 01/25/7495216/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 26). Rosiia za tyzhden zapustyla 750 droniv [Russia launched 750 drones in one week]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/archives/ date_26012025/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 26). Nad Ukrainoiu zbyly 50 BPLA [50 UAVs were shot down over Ukraine]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/26/7495306/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 27). U Dnipri poshkodzhena bahatopoverkhivka [A high-rise residential building was damaged in Dnipro]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/ 01/27/7495398/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 28). RF 28 sichnia atakuvala 100 dronamy [On January 28, the Russian Federation attacked with 100 drones]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/archives/ date_28012025/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 28). Dronova ataka: na Kyivshchyni poshkodzheno muzei retro-mashyn, budynky ta avto [Drone attack: a retro-car museum, houses, and vehicles were damaged in the Kyiv region]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/28/7495584/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 28). Rosiiska dronova ataka 28 sichnia: poshkodzhennia zafiksovano u 7 oblastiakh [Russian drone attack on January 28: damage recorded in seven regions]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/28/7495593/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 29). RF atakuvala Ukrainu 57 dronamy [The Russian Federation attacked Ukraine with 57 drones]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/archives/date_29012025/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 29). U Kyievi ulamky rosiiskoho drona vpaly na stantsii metro [In Kyiv, debris of a Russian drone fell at a metro station]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/ news/2025/01/29/7495737/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 29). Rosiia atakuvala Ukrainu 57 dronamy, 29 vdalosia zbyty [Russia attacked Ukraine with 57 drones; 29 were successfully shot down]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/ news/2025/01/29/7495754/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 30). Nad Ukrainoiu zbyly 37 droniv, ale ye vluchannia [37 drones were shot down over Ukraine, but there were impacts]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/ archives/date_30012025/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 30). Rosiiska “Molniia” vdarila po Kharkovu [A Russian “Molniya” struck Kharkiv]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/archives/ date_30012025/
Ukrainska Pravda. (2025, January 31). Protypovitrianyi bii 31 sichnia [Air defense battle on January 31]. https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/01/31/7496112/
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