Russia still unable to defend strategic military sites from Ukrainian strikes, says British intelligence
Photo: Russia is still unable to protect strategic sites from attacks (Facebook/Russian Defense Ministry)
Russia, after three years of war against Ukraine, is unable to protect its strategic military sites. This is evidenced by numerous Ukrainian attacks, informs the UK Ministry of Defense on X.
The report notes that, despite its technological and numerical advantage, Russia's Aerospace Forces have failed to achieve air superiority over Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia has resorted to using its tactical-level aviation — such as Su-34 aircraft — as airborne artillery.
Ukraine, on the other hand, has successfully employed drones against military targets and infrastructure within Russia with increasing frequency. This includes multiple strikes on Russian oil refineries.
British intelligence reports that, in September 2024, Ukraine struck four Russian strategic ammunition depots, including one in the settlement of Toropets. The total tonnage of ammunition destroyed at these sites represents the largest loss of Russian and North Korean shells throughout the war.
Photo: Satellite images of the destroyed depot in Toropets (x.com/DefenseHQ)
Photo: Satellite images of the destroyed depot in Toropets (x.com/DefenseHQ)
"Such Ukrainian successes highlight Russia's continued inability to protect strategic military sites from attack, as well as indicating the challenge confronting Russia to protect its infrastructure balanced against protecting its operations at the front line," the UK Ministry of Defense states.
Strike on Russia's Toropets depot
As a reminder, in mid-September 2024, Ukrainian forces attacked a large missile and artillery control depot of Russia's Ministry of Defense in the settlement of Toropets, Tver region.
Sources for RBC-Ukraine reported that the operation was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine, Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, and the Special Operations Forces.
The depot stored missiles for the Iskander tactical missile systems, Tochka-U tactical missile systems, guided aerial bombs, and artillery ammunition. After the strike, a powerful detonation occurred at the site, and local authorities declared an evacuation.
