Russian forces have increasingly utilized attack drones and missiles to carry out what are known as “double-tap strikes,” a tactic described by both a Ukrainian air defender and a first responder. This brutal method involves first attacking a target, waiting for emergency responders and civilians to arrive, and then attacking the same spot again.
United Nations officials have condemned this strategy as “ruthless.” Oleksiy, deputy commander of a mobile air defense unit in Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces, noted that Russia has been combining drone attacks with cruise missile assaults to instill fear among the population.
According to Oleksiy, the sequence of these attacks generally starts with drones striking civilian infrastructure. As rescuers and medical personnel arrive to assist, a missile follows, leaving them no chance to escape. A first responder from Ukraine’s State Emergency Services recounted an incident in June where a drone hit a recreation center near Kyiv, followed by another drone strike targeting the same facility once rescue teams were on-site.
Recently, the State Emergency Service released a statement regarding double-tap strikes aimed at rescue teams in the cities of Kharkiv and Kherson. The responder also discussed a similar incident a few weeks ago near Kyiv, where footage captured the sound of a drone before an explosion and flash of light.
It remains uncertain how frequently this tactic is employed, and Business Insider could not independently verify all accounts from Ukrainian sources. Russia’s defense ministry did not respond to inquiries for comment.
Reports indicate that the Russian armed forces have been executing these double-tap strikes against Ukrainian cities since the full-scale invasion began over three years ago. An attack on the port city of Odesa last year resulted in numerous casualties among civilians and emergency workers.
Russia has been accused of using similar deadly tactics in Syria during its intervention in the country’s civil war. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War suggest that the Russian military is intentionally targeting Ukrainian civilians with these tactics, possibly to eliminate first responders.
Recent weeks have seen an increase in the intensity of Russian air attacks on Ukraine, with Kyiv facing daily bombardments involving hundreds of drones and missiles. The situation is further complicated by the Trump administration’s halting of critical weapon shipments to Ukraine, raising concerns about the country’s ability to defend itself effectively amid worsening attacks.
In a recent statement, Ukraine’s foreign ministry warned that any delays in international support for its defense capabilities would only embolden Russia to continue its aggression.