Ukraine has extended the range of its long-range strikes against Russia to 1,750 km
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has stated that, since 2022, the range of Ukrainian deep-strike attacks on targets deep within Russian territory has increased by more than 2.5 times. Whereas in 2022 Ukrainian weapons were striking military targets at a range of approximately 630 km, the current range is around 1,750 km.
2022
In December 2022, Ukraine struck the Engels-2 airbase in the Saratov region. This is one of the key airfields for Russian strategic aviation.
As a result of the attack, two Tu-95MS bombers, capable of carrying cruise missiles, were damaged. To carry out this strike, Ukrainian forces covered a distance of around 650 km.
The Dyagilevo airbase in the Ryazan region of the Russian Federation, located 500–600 km away, was also struck at that time.
2024
In 2024, Ukraine expanded the range of its long-range strikes.
On 2 April, a factory producing Shahed-type drones in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, 1,200 km away, was attacked for the first time.
On 9 May, the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil refinery, located 1,500 km away, was struck.
The Ministry of Defence noted that 2024 marked the transition to systematic long-range strikes against targets of the Russian military machine.
2026
In February 2026, units of the Security Service of Ukraine and other components of the Defence Forces struck the Ukhta oil refinery in the Komi Republic. The facility is located approximately 1,750 km from the state border.
Also in 2026, the Bashneft-Novoyl and Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim refineries in Ufa, some 1,400 km away, were struck.
In March, the Defence Forces struck five strategic plants and 10 oil refining facilities in Russia. The operations covered territories ranging from the temporarily occupied Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions to deep rear areas of the Russian Federation, notably the Leningrad region.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the development of deep strikes is one of Ukraine’s defence priorities.
“Today, our deep strikes are no longer a sensation, although each time it is very welcome and very good news. Today, our Ukrainian drones have radically changed the approach to waging war,” he noted.
According to the President, Russia’s losses from such strikes run into tens of billions.
“Undoubtedly, we are attacking what is painful for Russia. And it is very painful. We can see the results. Today, their losses are already running into tens of billions. These are critical losses for Russia,” said Zelenskyy.
Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov emphasised that peace in Ukraine will come when the skies are closed, the Russian army loses its offensive capability, and Russia’s economy cannot withstand the strain.
