Russian forces have launched another wave of missile attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
And while Ukraine’s and Western air defenses continue to deplete Russia’s dwindling supply of precision munitions, Russian strikes are still having a significant impact on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, such as in Kyiv, Odessa, Vinnytsya and Zaporizhia.
Just hours before this wave of missiles, Ukrainian forces were likely carrying out attacks on Russia’s strategic air bases, while demonstrating Ukraine’s ability to attack Russian territory and disrupt Russia’s offensive campaign.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces used drones to attack Dyagilevo air base and Engels-2 air base, located about 600 km from Ukraine.
Engels is the main operating base for Russian long-haul aircraft in western Russia. These aircraft contribute to Russia’s nuclear deterrence and have also been used extensively to launch conventional cruise missiles into Ukraine.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense says the strikes were carried out by Ukrainian drones allegedly shot down by Russian air defenses.
Ukraine did not claim direct responsibility for the heaviest attacks inside Russia, but the Air Force tweeted: “What happened?”
Advisor to Ukraine’s President Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted: “If something is sent into the airspace of other countries, sooner or later it will return there.”
The Institute for the Study of War writes: “Anger at the Russian military’s inability to repel Ukraine’s attacks on Russian air bases has outweighed the Russian milblogger community’s praise for the recent round of attacks against Ukraine.