Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the development of a weapon with a striking range of 700 kilometers (435 miles). Although specific details were not provided, this announcement comes following an apparent aerial attack on a Russian airport in the country’s western region, which resulted in the destruction of several military aircraft.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Strategic Industries is credited with producing this long-range weapon, and Zelenskyy expressed a desire to further increase its capabilities. While Ukraine rarely comments directly on attacks within Russia, Zelenskyy seemed to hint at Ukrainian involvement in the recent attack in Russia’s Pskov region, where four Il-76 military transport planes were reportedly damaged.
International allies of Ukraine generally restrict the use of weapons they supply to Kyiv for attacking Russian territory. However, they have also acknowledged Ukraine’s right to employ its own weapons against Russian military targets as it sees fit.
Recently, Oleksiy Danilov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary, referred to a Ukrainian-made missile that hit a Russian air defense system in Crimea on August 23. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, asserted that Ukrainian forces now possess the ability to strike any part of occupied Crimea.
Over the past month, Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on targets within Russia and Russian-controlled territories within Ukraine. These actions appear to align with Zelenskyy’s promise to take the war back to Russia, targeting deep within its territory and engaging in cross-border sabotage missions.
These tactics serve to exert pressure on Russia’s commanders and erode their morale. Ukraine’s counteroffensive, launched in June, has been slowly wearing down parts of the Russian front line. Recent developments indicate that Ukrainian forces have reached the main Russian defensive lines south of Robotyne, a village they captured last week.
The ongoing offensive seeks to test Russia’s deeper defenses, which Ukraine believes may be less heavily fortified and mined than the areas its troops have previously traversed. Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar reported unspecified successes near Novopokropivka and advancing forces near Bakhmut in the east.
Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, noted a “positive dynamic” near Bakhmut, where heavy battles are unfolding in villages south of the city.
