Ukraine’s long‑range drone and missile operations against Russian energy, naval, and Shahed infrastructure in Russia, Crimea, and occupied territories
Ukrainian Long‑Range Strikes on Russian Infrastructure
Amid an intensifying conflict that has stretched well into 2026, Ukraine has significantly expanded its long-range drone and missile campaign targeting critical Russian infrastructure deep within Russia, Crimea, and occupied territories. Building on a foundation of precision strikes against energy, naval, air defense, and drone-related assets, Kyiv’s forces have further sharpened their operational focus by launching pre-emptive attacks specifically aimed at Russian long-range drone launchers and their associated launch-preparation facilities. This evolution marks a deepening sophistication in Ukraine’s multi-domain offensive, aimed at systematically eroding Moscow’s ability to project power and sustain its prolonged military effort.
Expanded Deep-Strike Campaign Against Russian Energy and Naval Infrastructure
Ukraine’s persistent targeting of Russian energy assets continues to undermine Moscow’s military logistics and economic resilience:
- On December 25, a Ukrainian drone strike set two oil storage tanks ablaze at the port of Temryuk in Krasnodar Krai, severely damaging critical fuel reserves that support Russian military and civilian supply chains in the region.
- The Novoshakhtinsky refinery, located near the front lines, was hit by Storm Shadow missiles, disrupting fuel production crucial for Russia’s ground operations.
- Deep inside Russian territory, the Syzran refinery was precisely struck, demonstrating Ukraine’s growing reach with long-range missile assets.
- In Crimea, Ukrainian drones or missiles ignited a major fuel refinery, compounding energy shortages on the peninsula and complicating Russia’s logistical efforts.
Maritime interdiction efforts have dealt additional blows to Russian naval logistics:
- The Dashan tanker, part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” supplying naval operations, was critically damaged by Ukrainian sea drone attacks, hampering Moscow’s Black Sea resupply routes.
- Ukrainian forces claim to have destroyed or severely damaged the only operational Russian “hunter-killer” submarine based in Crimea, a significant setback to Russia’s undersea warfare capabilities.
These strikes collectively degrade Moscow’s ability to maintain operational tempo and resupply forces engaged on multiple fronts.
Degrading Russian Air Defense and Early Warning Systems
Ukraine has intensified efforts to dismantle Russia’s integrated air defense and radar networks, thereby creating openings for its own aerial and missile operations:
- The destruction of the advanced Valdai radar system in Crimea—a critical node in Russia’s Black Sea air defense umbrella—has reduced Moscow’s situational awareness and early warning capacity.
- Additional attacks have targeted other radar installations and air defense command nodes, further eroding Russia’s ability to detect and intercept Ukrainian drone and missile strikes.
Targeting Shahed Drone Infrastructure and Pre-Emptive Strikes on Long-Range Drone Launchers
A central pillar of Ukraine’s recent offensive has been the focused disruption of Russian Shahed UAV operations and related long-range drone capabilities:
- Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted Shahed drone storage and launch-preparation facilities, including a major strike on the Donetsk airport, a critical hub for deploying these attack drones.
- Logistics depots and maintenance sites supporting Shahed operations have also been systematically attacked to choke supply lines.
- Radar and command centers used to coordinate Shahed drone missions have been neutralized, complicating Russian efforts to sustain their drone campaigns.
New developments reveal a sharpened Ukrainian focus on neutralizing Russian long-range drone launchers themselves. Pre-emptive strikes have been launched against facilities specifically dedicated to the deployment of these drones, aiming to degrade Russia’s strike capacity at its source. This proactive targeting represents a strategic shift from reactive defense toward offensive suppression of Russia’s drone strike infrastructure, further limiting Moscow’s operational depth.
Operational Impact and Strategic Significance
Ukraine’s expanded long-range drone and missile campaign delivers multi-faceted operational effects:
- Energy disruption: Strikes on refineries and fuel storage cripple Russia’s fuel supply chains, applying economic and military pressure.
- Naval interdiction: Damage to tankers and undersea assets constrains Russia’s ability to sustain naval and ground operations in contested maritime areas.
- Air defense degradation: The elimination of key radar systems reduces Russian airspace control, enabling more effective Ukrainian strikes.
- Drone warfare suppression: Targeting Shahed infrastructure and long-range drone launchers blunts a persistent Russian threat, enhancing Ukraine’s defensive resilience and offensive freedom.
- Psychological impact: Demonstrating the ability to strike deep inside Russian-held territory undermines morale and complicates Russian defensive planning.
Constraints on Russian Missile and Drone Capabilities
Moscow faces mounting challenges in countering Ukraine’s expanded offensive:
- The limited deployment of Kalibr cruise missiles in the Black Sea, reported by Ukrainian Navy sources, indicates strained Russian missile stocks amid competing demands across multiple fronts.
- Moscow has been forced to disperse and relocate critical assets, increasing logistical complexity and reducing the efficiency of strike and reconnaissance systems.
- Ukrainian forces benefit from sustained NATO-facilitated logistical and intelligence support, enabling persistent offensive operations far beyond frontline zones.
Conclusion
Ukraine’s long-range drone and missile operations have evolved into a comprehensive deep-strike campaign that systematically targets Russian energy, naval logistics, air defense networks, and drone strike infrastructure. The recent introduction of pre-emptive strikes against Russian long-range drone launchers underscores Kyiv’s strategic intent to not only respond to but proactively degrade Moscow’s offensive capabilities at their source.
As the conflict moves deeper into 2026, these multi-domain strikes will remain a decisive element shaping the operational environment. By continuously eroding Russia’s operational depth and logistical resilience, Ukraine enhances its ability to sustain pressure across diverse theaters, offsetting numerical disadvantages and reinforcing its strategic posture in a protracted and complex war.