In recent weeks, Ukraine has been targeting ammunition depots and military facilities deep inside Russia in an effort to disrupt Russian offensive operations in the theater. These strikes have been carried out with precision and coordination, and have the potential to impact Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has noted that repeated strikes on ammunition depots may force the Russian military to reorganize and disperse their support and logistics systems in rear areas, which could disrupt their mass-optimized logistics.
Starting in mid-September, Ukraine has launched several attacks on Russian facilities, including a Shahed drone storage facility in the Krasnodar region and an ammunition warehouse in the Republic of Adygea in Russia. Russian forces rely heavily on Shahed drones to strike Ukrainian settlements and cities, and Ukrainian strikes have the potential to disrupt these operations. While a single strike may not have a significant impact, repeated strikes could force the Russian military to rethink their logistics and support systems.
Ukraine has struck multiple targets in Russia, including ammunition depots and military airfields. These strikes have targeted key Russian assets, such as fighter-bombers and fighter aircraft based at the Khanskaya Air Base. In each attack, Ukrainian drones have been intercepted and shot down by Russian forces, but this has not deterred Ukraine from continuing its strike campaign against Russian facilities. The strikes have also targeted fuel depots in Crimea, causing significant damage and disrupting Russian military operations in the region.
The ISW has emphasized the potential impact of Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities on Russian offensive operations. If Ukraine is given the permission to use Western systems and continues to develop its own long-range strike capabilities, it could exploit Russian vulnerabilities before Moscow is able to deploy effective countermeasures. This could have a significant impact on the overall theater of operations in Ukraine, as Ukrainian forces continue to target logistics and support facilities deep inside Russia.
Overall, Ukraine’s strikes on Russian facilities have the potential to disrupt Russian offensive operations in Ukraine. By targeting key assets such as ammunition depots, military airfields, and fuel depots, Ukraine can hinder Russian military capabilities and force them to reorganize their support and logistics systems. With continued support and permission to use advanced systems, Ukraine could further exploit Russian vulnerabilities and have a lasting impact on the conflict in Ukraine.
