Defense lines

On the 16th and 17th of May 2026, Kiev launched one of its most massive attacks on Russia. Over 600 drones crashed in the capital, Moscow, as well as areas more than 1,700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian strikes in Russia are becoming more numerous and effective, potentially tipping the scales.

Located nearly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine, the Russian cities of Yekaterinburg, Perm, and Cheboksary were also hit: armament factories, refineries, and airfields were targeted in this region of the Russian Urals, previously thought to be safe from war. These long-range drone strikes posed various challenges for the Ukrainian forces.

Vincent Tourret, a researcher at the French Institute for International Relations (Ifri), explained that the first challenge was the production of drones to reach these distances. They needed to increase the payload on each drone, navigate through Russian electronic interference, and weaken Moscow’s anti-aircraft and missile defense systems for greater penetration. Over the course of more than a year, Ukrainians made industrial, technological, and operational efforts to gradually weaken Russian defenses.

These strikes revealed significant weaknesses in Russian defense systems, causing strategic disruptions. The objective was to bring war into the daily lives of Russians, which was a key strategy for Ukraine. The use of medium-range drones, effective for targeting ammunition centers, logistics, concentration zones, bases, and garrisons, posed a real risk to Russian operations and frontlines.

As of now, there has been no observed change in the Russian approach, but the situation in 2026 could be decisive. The possibility of exhaustion of forces on both sides is imminent, serving as a crucial test for each side’s victory theory. After more than four years of war, the year 2026 could mark a turning point, potentially leading to a depletion of forces.

[Context: The content discusses Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian targets in 2026, detailing the challenges faced by both sides and the potential impact on the conflict.] [Fact Check: The information in the article is based on Vincent Tourret’s analysis of the situation and the strategic implications of the drone strikes in Russia.]