ABC News reported the information.Ukraine's success in countering Russia's relentless long-range bombardment is slipping, with air defense interception rates for both drones and missiles falling in October.The data shows that of the 5,312 drones of all types launched by Russia into Ukraine last month, defenders managed to shoot down or suppress 4,242. At just under 80%, this marks the lowest drone interception rate of 2025. This rate has seen a steady decline from over 90% at the start of the year.The statistics for missile interceptions in October were even starker, falling to 54%. Ukrainian forces intercepted 146 of the 270 missiles launched, the lowest success rate recorded by the air force since April.This diminished defensive performance comes at a critical time. Moscow is expanding its strikes against crucial infrastructure, particularly energy targets, across the country. The attacks have triggered widespread blackouts, with the state transmission system operator, Ukrenergo, announcing rolling power cuts of between eight and 16 hours for most regions."These days, in most regions, repair crews, power engineers, and utility services are virtually working around the clock," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on Telegram. "The Russians have increased their striking power."Military analysts who spoke with ABC News suggested several factors could be at play. The primary driver is the dramatically increasing number of drones Russia is launching, which appears to be overwhelming Ukraine's defenses.The strain on Ukraine's arsenal is a well-documented problem. President Zelenskyy has consistently warned that the country's defensive umbrella is inadequate, lacking both the platforms and the ammunition required. This is exacerbated by a severe cost imbalance: interceptor missiles for advanced systems like the U.S.-made Patriot can cost $4 million each, while a Russian Shahed drone is estimated to cost as little as $20,000."We just don't have enough interceptors," Oleksandr V. Danylyuk, chairman of the Center for Defense Reforms in Kyiv, told the publication.Russia has also adapted its tactics, applying lessons learned from its nightly bombardments. Ivan Stupak, a former officer in the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), noted that Russia is enhancing its drones with better anti-jamming technology and jet engines, making them harder to stop."The average number of drones during 2025 is 4,400 per month," Stupak said. "Day-to-day, it's become more difficult to intercept them."Stupak also highlighted a critical manpower strain, telling ABC News that "Ukrainian anti-aircraft units and mobile fire brigades are depleted -- lots of them were disbanded and deployed to the front as regular infantry."Analysts also note that Russia is increasingly targeting less-protected areas. "The Russians started hitting targets in the countryside and there is not the same level of air defense there," Danylyuk said. "So, they're more successful."This aerial assault is inflicting a rising civilian toll. The U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that at least 214 people were killed and almost 1,000 injured by Russian strikes in September, a significant jump from 58 civilians killed in August.While Ukrainian officials released the statistics, they cautioned against a simple reading. Ukraine air force spokesperson Yuiry Ihnat told ABC News, "Everything is separate, you can't rely only on statistics. It all depends on the nature of the shelling and the situation."