Ukrainian defense forces have escalated their medium-range strike capabilities against Russian military installations in occupied territories. This strategy aims to disrupt potential Russian offensive operations anticipated for the spring and summer of this year.
On March 14, Ukrainian forces executed strikes on several Russian military targets, both within Russia and in occupied Ukrainian territories. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that medium-range strikes typically occur within a distance of 20 to 120 kilometers from the front line; however, recent Ukrainian operations have extended further into Russian territory.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Special Operations Forces reported that Ukrainian troops targeted a launch system for the Iskander-M ballistic missile, which was preparing to fire missiles at Ukraine from the occupied area of Vyshneve, approximately 209 kilometers from the front line. Additionally, they struck a storage facility for Iskander missile systems near the occupied Kurortne in Crimea, located about 217 kilometers from the front.
Moreover, the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed an attack on a Russian radar station, the Nebo-U, situated near the occupied Hvardiske in Crimea, roughly 198 kilometers from the front line.
On March 13, drone operators also reported successfully targeting five Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense systems near Belgorod, which is approximately 30 kilometers from the front line.
Ukrainian forces have also conducted strikes on:
- a storage facility for S-300 surface-to-air missile systems near the occupied Sadove in the Donetsk region (located about 80-85 kilometers from the front);
- the command post of Russian drone forces near Vuhledar (approximately 40 kilometers from the front);
- command and observation posts in Hrafske and Kermenyk.
Additionally, strikes were reported on a Russian repair center and an enemy supply depot near the occupied Andriivka, as well as on troop concentrations near Novomykolaivka in the Zaporizhzhia region, and a logistics supply and equipment storage facility near Berdyansk.
Analysts indicate that Ukrainian forces are intensifying their medium-range strike campaign, targeting logistics, military equipment, and personnel of the adversary. These attacks may complicate Russia’s preparations for a spring-summer offensive, particularly as Russian forces have been concentrating their main offensive efforts in the east and south of Ukraine in recent weeks.
Ukrainian defense forces have increased their medium-range strikes against Russian military targets, aiming to disrupt anticipated Russian offensives. Recent operations have extended deeper into Russian territory, targeting critical military infrastructure and logistics.