# [7D] Russia Increases Air and Missile Strikes on Ukrainian Cities in Response to Deep Drone Attacks

*Issued Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 6:16 AM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Issued**: 2026-05-17T06:16:38.985Z (3h ago)
**Expires**: 2026-05-24T06:16:38.985Z (7d from now)
**Category**: MILITARY | **Confidence**: 80% | **Impact**: CRITICAL
**Risk Direction**: escalatory
**Affected Regions**: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Sumy Oblast, Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities
**Affected Assets**: Ukrainian power grid and substations, Urban residential and industrial zones, Air defense missile inventories
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/forecasts/9929.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/forecasts

---

## Prediction

In the coming 7 days, Russia is likely to retaliate for Ukrainian deep strikes on Moscow-region oil and electronics facilities by intensifying missile, glide-bomb, and drone barrages against Ukrainian urban centers and energy infrastructure. Regions such as Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy can expect repeated attacks aimed at both military and dual-use targets. Ukraine will try to intercept these with bolstered air defenses, but civilian casualties and power disruptions are likely to rise.

## Drivers

- Recent large Russian drone attacks on Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy
- Pattern of Russian retaliatory strikes following Ukrainian deep attacks
- EUCOM assessment of intense Russian UAV and guided bomb usage