Ukraine's precision strikes strain Russian air defences, forcing tough choices

Russia's air defences are facing unprecedented challenges as Ukraine intensifies its drone and missile campaigns, compelling the Kremlin to make difficult choices about what and where to protect. 

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has reported that Russia lacks sufficient air defences to secure all its critical sites, leaving certain areas vulnerable to Ukrainian attacks, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Recent Ukrainian operations have successfully destroyed a significant number of Russian air defence systems, with claims of 59 systems taken out in June alone. Analysts suggest that as Ukraine pressures Russia by targeting deeper into its territory, including sensitive military installations, Moscow is forced to prioritize its air defences, leading to weaknesses in other locations.

The shifting landscape of warfare has prompted Ukraine's allies to grant it permission to strike specific military targets within Russia, expanding its operational reach beyond the previously established limits. This change has accompanied an increase in Ukraine's drone strikes against airfields and oil facilities well within Russian boundaries.

Experts note a growing Ukrainian strategy aimed at forcing Russia to either evacuate its air bases or commit a substantial number of air defence systems to protect them. The pressure on Russian military command has intensified, as highlighted by the increasing frequency of drone attacks that compel the allocation of limited air defence resources to high-value sites.

The situation is particularly critical in Crimea, where Ukraine has actively targeted Russian air defences to weaken their hold over the strategically vital peninsula. These ongoing strikes have disrupted Russia's ability to protect its airspace and resulted in the relocation of these defences to areas under increasing threat from Ukraine.

Despite Russia's formidable air defense capabilities, analysts caution that Ukraine remains at a disadvantage due to limited resources and restrictions on the use of long-range weapons provided by Western allies. Increased access to advanced weaponry could level the playing field, allowing Ukraine to strike more effectively at the source of attacks and creating further complications for Russian defence strategies.

As the conflict evolves into a battle of air defence capabilities, the outcomes of these ongoing operations will significantly influence the strategic landscape of the war and the enduring security dynamics on both sides.