Russia continues to launch massive airstrikes on Ukraine, but there have been changes in the occupiers’ tactics. In addition to energy infrastructure, civilian business facilities - warehouses, logistics hubs, and shopping centers - are increasingly coming under fire. This was stated by military and political expert Oleksandr Musiienko in a comment to RBC-Ukraine, as reported by Dengi.ua, citing RBC-Ukraine.
In his assessment, the Russian Federation is thus attempting to undermine Ukraine’s economic potential, disrupt logistics operations, and create additional problems for businesses.
Why Is Russia Attacking Civilian Infrastructure?
Musiienko notes that Russian troops have effectively expanded the list of priority targets.
Whereas previously the main objective of airstrikes was to target energy facilities in order to leave Ukrainian cities without electricity and heat, the aggressor is now seeking to strike directly at the economic infrastructure.
Specifically, this includes retail chain warehouses, logistics centers, and other facilities upon which the functioning of the civilian economy depends.
According to the expert, this tactic may also be linked to the situation on the front lines: having failed to achieve significant results on the battlefield, Russia is attempting to compensate for this by striking at the Ukrainian economy.
Since August 27, Russian attacks have been virtually nonstop. Strikes have been recorded not only in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, but also in Kryvyi Rih, as well as in the Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Poltava, Cherkasy, and other regions.
Kyiv Remains One of the Main Targets
The capital remains the focus of Russian forces.
According to Musiienko’s assessment, there is no reason to expect a significant reduction in the intensity of airstrikes on Kyiv and surrounding areas just yet. Russia continues to search for vulnerabilities in the city’s air defense system and is using various types of aerial assets to do so.
The expert believes that the attacks will continue, including combined strikes that simultaneously employ various types of drones and missiles.
Russia Is Scaling Up Production of Jet-Powered Drones
Jet-powered drones pose a separate threat; according to the expert, Russia is actively increasing their production.
Their stated range is about 500–600 km, which allows them to threaten a significant portion of Ukraine’s northern, eastern, southern, and central regions.
At the same time, isolated launches of such drones toward western Ukraine may indicate a change in their mission. According to Musiienko, the Russians are capable of reducing the warhead’s size and increasing the fuel capacity to ensure a longer flight range.
Such drones can be used not only directly to strike targets but also as a reconnaissance element prior to subsequent missile strikes.
Ukraine Is Developing New Interception Capabilities
The emergence of new types of aerial threats requires Ukrainian defense forces to adapt their air defense systems.
Currently, air defense units, aviation, and anti-aircraft artillery are used to destroy Russian aerial targets. At the same time, Ukrainian companies are working on specialized interceptor drones.
According to the expert, domestic manufacturers are nearing the completion of testing for such systems. In the future, these systems should allow Ukraine to significantly increase the number of aerial targets it can intercept using relatively inexpensive means.
Thus, Russia is gradually changing the nature of its air campaign, combining strikes on military and energy infrastructure with attacks on the economic rear. One of the objectives is to disrupt business operations and logistics, which ensure the stability of the Ukrainian economy.
To counter this tactic, Ukraine must simultaneously strengthen its air defense and develop mass production of new interceptors capable of combating jet-powered drones.