ISW reveals frontline impact of Ukraine's strikes on Russia
Photo: Ukrainian Armed Forces strikes on Russian rear areas are undermining Russia’s ability to conduct military operations in Ukraine (Russian media)
Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure are overloading Russia’s air defense system. As a result, the Kremlin is forced to divert critical resources from the front lines to protect strategic targets, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to analysts, the sheer size of Russia’s territory poses serious challenges for its defense, especially given that it still relies heavily on traditional air defense systems to repel massive Ukrainian drone attacks.
At the same time, Russia has not yet been able to fully deploy mobile fire units or effective means of intercepting drones that could counter repeated massive attacks.
Overall, Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign will likely force Russia to continue diverting resources and personnel to air defense needs, drawing them away from combat operations.
Experts add that while Russian forces may gradually adapt, particularly through the use of interceptor drones and the development of mobile units, defending a large number of dispersed targets will remain a difficult task for them.
Strikes on Russian infrastructure
In recent weeks, one of Russia’s key energy hubs, the port of Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea, has repeatedly been targeted by drone attacks.
The first strike on the port occurred on March 25. At that time, a fire broke out at the Ust-Luga port following a drone attack.
A few days later, on March 29–31, the attacks recurred. According to media reports, this was at least the fifth attack in ten days, which seriously disrupted operations at one of the main export hubs for Russian oil and petroleum products.
As a result of the attacks, terminal operations were effectively paralyzed for a time: ports on the Baltic Sea were temporarily unable to fully handle oil shipments.
