(MOSCOW) – Data from the open source intelligence group Okora shows the significant impact of Ukraine’s long range strikes within Russian territory throughout 2025. Investigations into confirmed incidents reveal that at least 371 drone and missile attacks targeted Russian assets since the start of last year. These operations were specifically directed at military industrial facilities and oil refineries that are essential for the ongoing war efforts of the Russian dictator. A notable detail in the findings is the prioritisation of chemical plants, which represent nearly 75% of the strikes against the military industry. These plants produce the explosives and fuel additives required by Russian forces, and their destruction creates significant bottlenecks in ammunition production and logistics.
Strategic analysts suggest that Kyiv has adopted a clear policy of targeting the industrial heart of the Russian war machine rather than pursuing symbolic victories. By striking refineries and chemical infrastructure deep within the country, Ukraine is forcing the Kremlin to manage expensive repairs and redirect air defence assets to protect domestic sites. This persistent pressure is intended to diminish the capacity of the Russian dictator to maintain the current intensity of frontline combat operations.
Conflicting reports emerged recently regarding a purported Russian strike on Patriot air defence systems near Kharkiv. While the Russian military released footage claiming a successful hit, several Russian military bloggers have since admitted that the targets were likely high quality decoys. Detailed inspection of the drone footage reveals that the equipment displayed lacked the structural thickness and specific components, such as generator vents, found on genuine Patriot systems. The use of such sophisticated decoys has successfully misled Russian reconnaissance and wasted expensive munitions on non-military targets.
On the active front lines, Ukrainian drone units continue to inflict heavy losses on Russian personnel and equipment. In the Nova Pavlivka axis, the 93rd Mechanised Brigade utilised precision drone strikes to eliminate four occupiers and destroy several vehicles, including a tank. These rapid ambushes demonstrate how Ukrainian forces integrate real time reconnaissance with aerial strikes to neutralise Russian assault groups before they can gain momentum.
Meanwhile, economic pressure continues to mount against the Kremlin through international cooperation. In Brindisi, Italy, maritime authorities seized a tanker carrying 33,000 tonnes of steel from Novorossiysk. The cargo, valued at approximately 2,058,000,000 Roubles ($26,550,000), was detained as part of the enforcement of European Union sanctions. This move aligns with the strict trade measures championed by the United States to isolate the Russian economy and limit the resources available to the Russian dictator.
In a recent operation in Mirnohrad, Ukrainian paratroopers destroyed a building used as a staging area for Russian forces after intercepting radio communications. By identifying the specific call sign of an occupying soldier, Ukrainian intelligence was able to pinpoint the location and neutralise the threat before a planned assault. This integration of signals intelligence and rapid strike capabilities continues to degrade the organisational capacity of Russian units near the front.
