Russian forces are launching long-range strikes against Ukraine’s defence industry as Moscow prepares for a long-term war, according to The Telegraph.
UK Ministry of Defence claimed Moscow fired about 100 high-velocity projectiles targeting the capital city of Kyiv and Kharkiv on Tuesday, presumably at Ukrainian drone and missile manufacturers.
“This contrasts with its major attacks last winter, which prioritised striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. These new operations suggest at least a temporary change of approach in Russia’s long-range strikes. Russian planners almost certainly recognise the growing importance of relative defence industrial capacity as they prepare for a long war.”
A source in Ukraine’s defence industry reported that the recent strikes targeted facilities related to domestic production of missiles and drones.
The attacks had strategic meaning for the enemy, with the aim of reducing our capacity to strike. It’s a battle to see who can destroy more of the enemy’s long-range weapons.
Ukrainian strikes deep behind enemy lines followed a similar pattern as Kyiv seeks to deny Russia the ability to launch missiles and drones. These tactics are turning into an endurance contest as both sides will improve their air defence systems.
For instance, Russian forces began using heavy barrages, combining alleged Iranian-made kamikaze drones and dozens of types of missiles to evade surface-to-air interceptors.
“Its forces have committed a significant portion of the stock of air-launched cruise missiles and ballistic missiles they had built up over recent months.”
Ukrainian strikes in Belgorod on Wednesday reportedly targeted an ammunition bunker south of the city, about 20 miles from Ukraine’s northeastern border with Russia. Local officials reportedly said Russian air defence systems destroyed 12 Ukrainian missiles. Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov declared:
The situation in Belgorod continues to be tense. There were two attacks in the morning.
Russia carried out a series of major drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent days, some of the most intense airstrikes since the war broke out in February 2022. Kyiv claimed on Tuesday that Russia had launched more than 300 strike drones and missiles of various types at cities across Ukraine since Friday.
